CHAPTER THREE: THE PATRIARCH
The wail of police sirens began to echo in the distance, but before the authorities could even approach the building, a second convoy of identical black SUVs pulled up to the shattered entrance. The remaining glass crunched under heavy boots as a dozen more security personnel flooded the lobby, forming an impenetrable human wall around Maya.
From the center of the formation walked Arthur Thorne.
Arthur was a titan of Manhattan real estate, a billionaire whose conglomerate owned not just the Grand Plaza, but half the luxury properties on the eastern seaboard. He was a man of ruthless business acumen, but to Maya, he was simply her father. He had adopted her five years ago after her biological parents, close friends of Arthur, had passed away in a tragic accident. Since that day, Maya had become the absolute center of his universe, the only thing he valued more than his empire.
Arthur’s eyes scanned the room, instantly assessing the situation. He saw the overturned wheelchair, the terrified guests, and the pale, trembling woman dripping in diamonds. But his gaze softened entirely when he looked at his daughter.
He rushed forward, dropping to his knees on the ruined marble floor, uncaring about the expensive fabric of his suit.
“Maya,” Arthur said, his voice thick with a father’s desperate relief. He pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her shoulder. “Are you alright, sweetheart? Tell me you’re not hurt.”
“I am fine, Daddy,” Maya whispered, wrapping her small arms around his neck. “The lady pushed me, but Marcus came just in time.”
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Arthur pulled back, his hands gently framing his daughter’s face. He inspected her for any scratches or bruises, his thumbs wiping away a faint smudge of dirt from her cheek. The immense love and fierce protectiveness radiating from him was palpable. Family was the only currency Arthur truly respected, and someone had just threatened his.
Slowly, Arthur stood up. The tender father vanished, replaced instantly by the ruthless corporate titan. He turned his attention to Eleanor Sterling.
