"Cook it, or get out!" Victor roared, his face contorted in rage, his voice echoing off the mahogany walls and vibrating the champagne glasses on the table.
Clara winced, her hands clutching the edge of the linen tablecloth as pain shot down her spine. Tears spilled over her eyelashes, streaming down her cheeks.
Sitting across from her, dressed in a shimmering gold sequined gown, was her stepmother, Eleanor Sterling. Eleanor held a crystal flute between two manicured fingers, taking a slow, nonchalant sip. Her eyes were cold, amused, and devoid of a single ounce of sympathy as she watched her stepdaughter being humiliated in front of the entire household staff.
To Eleanor’s right sat the family's senior legal advisor, Harrison, and two corporate board members, all pretending not to notice the violence occurring two feet away.
"Fine!" Clara sobbed, her voice breaking under the weight of the humiliation. "Fine!"
Victor released his grip with a sharp, dismissive shove, throwing her head forward. Clara gasped, catching herself on the edge of the mahogany table, her body trembling uncontrollably as the family let out muted, cruel chuckles.