Chapter 2 - THE ECHO OF A GHOST
"I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Caldwell," Lauren stammered, her voice trembling as she backed away. Her hands remained protectively curled around little Noah. "My name is Lauren. I'm just the new housekeeper."
Ethan didn't blink. He closed the distance between them, ignoring the horrified gasps of the city's elite. He reached out, his fingers gently but firmly wrapping around her left wrist. With a swift motion, he pushed back the cuff of her drab gray uniform. There, stark against her pale skin, was a crescent-shaped scar—the exact mark Clara had received from a broken champagne flute on their honeymoon.
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"Ethan, this is absurd!" Vanessa screeched, her perfectly manicured facade crumbling. She stomped forward, her diamond heels clicking furiously against the marble. "She is a deranged grifter who coached your son to say this! Have security throw her out!"
"Don't touch her," Ethan growled, his eyes never leaving Lauren's terrified face. The sheer intensity in his gaze made the room drop by ten degrees. He picked up Noah, who was still clinging to Lauren's apron, and handed the boy to his trusted head of security. "Cancel the gala. Clear the house. Lauren, you are coming with me to my study. Now."
