"Dad!" Michael seemed startled, reaching out but not daring to intervene.
But Robert wasn't satisfied. His other hand rose, coming down harder.
That hand froze mid-air, caught in a stronger grip, knuckles white.
"Robert."
Richard's voice came from above me, laced with a kind of controlled violence I'd never heard before.
"You're in my house. Touching my wife. How fucking dare you?"
Chapter Twenty-Six
Richard
"Apologize to Natalie. Now."
My fingers tightened until I could almost hear Robert's wrist bones groaning under the pressure. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his face chalk-white. The bravado from moments ago had evaporated, replaced by pure terror. Michael beside him stumbled back, too scared to breathe.
"Richard..." Robert's voice shook.
"It's Mr. Winston." I corrected him, my voice frighteningly calm. Each word dropped like ice-cold stones. "Under my roof, you laid hands on what's mine. Robert, seems you're not just failing at business—you've forgotten basic sense and manners too."
I released his wrist with enough force that he staggered back and hit the hallway wall. I didn't spare him another glance. I turned to Natalie immediately. Half her face was swollen, vivid red finger marks blazing across her cheek. Blood traced the corner of her mouth. She looked at me with hollow eyes, like a shattered porcelain doll hastily glued back together—one touchaway from falling apart completely. Her other hand clutched her abdomen, knuckles bone-white.
In that moment, I could have killed him.
I took a deep breath, forcing down the rage, and pulled Natalie against me. I felt her body stiffen instantly, but this time she didn't push me away. She seemed to have no strength left even for that.
"Joseph," I said. "Contact the estate doctor. Get him up here to examine Mrs. Winston immediately. Have the kitchen prepare ice compresses and calming tea. Bring them to the master bedroom."
"Yes, sir."
I guided Natalie back to the master bedroom, half-supporting, half-carrying her. She moved like a puppet, letting me position her. The doctor arrived quickly and examined her face and abdomen carefully. The baby was stable for now, but the emotional distress was severe—she needed rest and observation. The facial injury required ice to reduce swelling.
I held the ice pack, pressing it gently against her swollen cheek. She flinched but didn't move away. The cold seemed to bring some focus back to her empty gaze. She looked at me, lips moving, voice barely a whisper. "You heard everything?"
"Most of it." I crouched in front of her, maintaining eye level while holding the compress. "The scar on your wrist... what your father said..." My throat closed up. I'd never known any of it. I'd always thought Natalie just grew up in a cold family—maybe spoiled, maybe willful, needing guidance and protection. I never imagined the wounds ran that deep, that bloody.
"It's in the past." She turned away, not wanting me to see her vulnerable, but her trembling lashes betrayed her.
My hand closed around her ice-cold fingers. She shut her eyes. Tears slid down her face and soaked into the edge of the ice pack.
Outside the door, Robert and Michael sat rigid with anxiety. When they saw me approaching, they looked ready to drop to their knees.
Robert couldn't help himself. "Rich—I mean, Mr. Winston, this is a family matter. Father and daughter, just a misunderstanding..."
"Natalie is now, and will always be, my wife. The mother of my child," I cut him off, my mouth curving into a smile without warmth. "You put your hands on Mrs. Winston. Did you consider the consequences? Or should I make sure you understand them right now?"
Michael grabbed his father's sleeve, terrified.
Robert looked toward Natalie, head bowed low. "Natalie, I'm sorry. My emotions got out of hand. I apologize. I hope you can forgive me. I really didn't mean to..."
Natalie said nothing. Didn't even glance their way.
"Seems my wife doesn't want to forgive you." I looked down at them. "Effective immediately, Green Group won't receive another dollar from any partner associated with Winston Group. And if you attempt to harass, coerce, or use Natalie's name to influence my decisions again," I paused, making sure every word landed, "I'll make sure you have no place left in Los Angeles. Hell, in all of California. Clear?"
Robert and Michael looked like death. They nodded frantically.
