The heavy mahogany entrance doors suddenly swung open, letting in a cool evening breeze. Stepping through the doorway was Alexander, the elusive billionaire owner of the estate, dressed in an immaculate black suit and a heavy wool coat. He paused in the entryway, his brow furrowing as he absorbed the horrifying scene before him—his guests standing frozen on the staircase, Victoria holding scissors over a weeping servant, and blood trickling down the kneeling girl's cheek. A deep, dangerous anger flashed in Alexander's eyes as he took two long strides into the hall. "Why is my wife on the floor?" his deep voice boomed across the foyer, instantly silencing the room and freezing Victoria's hand mid-air.
A rapid, dramatic shift swept over Victoria's face as her eyes widened in complete, paralyzing shock. Her malicious smile evaporated, replaced by a pale look of sheer dread as Alexander ignored the heiress entirely and dropped to his knees beside the sobbing maid. With immense tenderness, Alexander unbuttoned his heavy black coat and gently draped it over Seraphina’s trembling shoulders, covering her humble maid uniform and revealing her distinctly rounded, visibly pregnant stomach. The gathered guests gasped in collective shock, realizing that the woman they had watched being publicly humiliated was actually the hidden lady of the estate and the mother of the future empire heir.