A Cruel Stepmother Rips A Gold Necklace From An Orphan

Victoria took a quick step back, her chest heaving as terror filled her mind. If that document was real and verified, she stood to lose everything she had spent the last two years trying to secure. The divorce lawyer she had secretly hired, the fake probate claims, and the millions in offshore bank accounts would all be questioned by the federal authorities. She looked at the paper in Julian's strong hand and decided to take a dangerous risk right in the middle of the crowded room.

She lunged forward, extending her red nails toward the paper, trying to rip the parchment to pieces before anyone else could read the specific clauses written inside. She did not care how it looked to the guests anymore; she was fighting for her comfortable lifestyle and freedom from prison. Her high heels clicked loudly against the stone floor as she threw her body weight toward Julian.

Victoria: Give that to me right now!

Julian: Stay back, Victoria! Do not make this any worse for yourself!

Victoria: It belongs to me! I am his widow! You have no right to read that private paperwork!

Julian pulled the document back out of her reach, stepping sideways to shield both the legal paper and young Lily. But Victoria was driven mad by fear. She lunged a second time, raising her right hand to claw at Julian's face and grab the white pages. Her fingers came within inches of tearing the valuable document. The guests gasped loudly as the elegant party turned into a wild brawl near the staircase.

Julian had seen enough of her cruelty and greed. He raised his heavy open palm as she charged forward again. Before Victoria could grab the paper, Julian swung his hand through the air with incredible speed and power. The sound of his open palm striking her face was loud, like a gunshot echoing off the tall plaster walls of the mansion room. The strike landed hard against her cheek, stopping her momentum instantly and throwing her body off balance completely.

Victoria: Ah!

Victoria tumbled sideways from the force of the hit, her red gown twisting around her legs. She crashed heavily into a long wooden side table loaded with expensive crystal glasses and punch bowls. The table rattled violently, sending glass crashing down onto the marble floor around her. Victoria ended up sitting on the ground among the broken glass and spilled red liquid, her hair messy and her face flushed with deep embarrassment.

The entire room froze in utter shock. No one had ever seen Julian lose his temper like this, but everyone knew Victoria had pushed the situation far past the limit of human patience. Victoria placed her gloved hand over her right cheek, feeling the sharp sting of the bruised skin. She looked up at Julian with wide, terrified eyes, completely unable to process what had just happened to her in front of her high-society peers.