He didn’t listen.
He walked straight past her, his expression unreadable but terrifying. He didn’t raise his hand—he didn’t need to. His presence alone was enough to make her step back, stumbling.
Her friends disappeared within seconds.
Lucas dropped to his knees beside Teresa, wrapping his coat around her shaking body.
“Mom…” his voice broke. “I’m so sorry.”
She looked at him, her eyes still gentle despite everything.
“Don’t be upset,” she whispered. “I didn’t want to cause trouble…”
That hurt more than anything else.
As he held her, he noticed something clenched in her hand—a piece of paper.
He unfolded it.
And everything inside him went cold.
It was a legal document.
A transfer of ownership.
The mansion—signed over to Vanessa.
His grip tightened.
“So this was the plan,” he said quietly, turning toward his wife.
Vanessa panicked.
“It’s not what you think! My father suggested it—he said it was risky to have everything in her name—”
“You humiliated her. Starved her. And tried to steal from her.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
He took out his phone.
“Security. Now.”
Minutes later, guards surrounded the area.
Vanessa’s confidence shattered.
“You can’t do this! My family will destroy you!”
Lucas smiled faintly.