Chapter 2
The silence after my words was louder than the slap.
Dominic stared at me like I had spoken a foreign language.
Serena laughed softly.
“Oh, Amelia.”
She said my name like it was something she found stuck to her shoe.
“You’re upset. Don’t embarrass yourself.”
I looked at her necklace.
“That belongs to store inventory.”
Her smile faltered.
Dominic stepped forward.
“Put the ring back on.”
“No.”
“You are making a scene.”
“You made the scene when you hit me.”
His eyes flicked around the store.
He had finally remembered the customers.
The phones.
The cameras.
The employees pretending not to watch.
“Security,” he snapped.
Two guards moved.
Then stopped when I lifted my hand.
“Touch me, and I’ll have you removed from my payroll by dinner.”
One guard blinked.
The other looked at Dominic.
Dominic’s face darkened.
“Do your job.”
I turned to the store manager, Victor Lane.
“Victor, who owns this building?”
He went pale.
“Mrs. Vale.”
Dominic’s head snapped toward him.
“Careful.”
Victor swallowed.
His voice shook.
“Mrs. Vale owns the building.”
“And the operating company?”
Victor looked like he wanted the floor to open.
“Amelia Holdings.”
Serena’s arms dropped.
I faced Dominic.
“You have been president by appointment. Not owner.”
Dominic laughed once.
Ugly.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“I already did.”
I pulled out my phone and called my attorney.
She answered immediately.
“Amelia?”
“Naomi, activate the emergency resolution.”
Dominic froze.
Naomi’s voice sharpened.
“Did he hurt you?”
I looked at my reflection in the glass.
My cheek was red.
My eyes were wet.
But my voice was steady.
“Yes.”
“Stay where you are. Police are two minutes away. The board packet is going out now.”
Dominic lunged for my phone.
I stepped back.
Victor moved between us.
That surprised everyone.
Especially Dominic.
“Mr. Vale,” Victor said quietly, “please don’t.”
Dominic looked ready to strike him too.
Then the front doors opened.
Two police officers walked in.
Behind them came Naomi Price in a black coat, carrying a leather folder.
She looked at my face.
Her expression changed.
May you like
Then she looked at Dominic.
“You just made my job very easy.”
