“We’ll have our attorneys review the contracts and determine what obligations each of us has.”
“You can’t do this over a servant!”
“I’m doing it because of what you chose to do.”
She stepped closer.
“You said I would leave with nothing but my dress.”
“I said that when I caught the crop. I was angry. I’m not withholding your lawful belongings. But you won’t continue making decisions in this house on my behalf.”
Vivienne’s eyes flashed.
“You’re throwing me out?”
“I’m asking you to make arrangements to leave. If we can’t agree on the details, our attorneys can address them.”
She stared at him.
Then her voice became icy.
“You’ll regret this. My father has connections you’ve depended on.”
“Then he can decide which relationships he wants to maintain.”
“And that maid?”
“What about her?”
“She’ll take your money, Ronan. She’ll tell everyone you allowed me to attack her. You’ll lose far more than an engagement.”
He looked at Vivienne for a long moment.
“She may tell people exactly what happened. That’s her right.”
Vivienne picked up her handbag.
“You’re choosing a stranger over me.”
“No,” he said. “I’m refusing to excuse your behavior because we’re engaged.”
She pulled the ring from her finger and placed it on the desk with a sharp click.
“I hope she’s worth it.”
Then she walked toward the door.
Ronan didn’t follow.
He called his attorney after she’d left to arrange the separation of their shared plans and the return of her belongings.
Then he contacted the event director.
He wanted the full account of the assault preserved, including the venue’s security records and the footage captured by the professional videographer hired for the evening.
He also instructed the household office to protect employment records, incident reports, and relevant staff communications.
No deletions.
