“Please wait a moment.” The servant gave a courteous nod and was about to open the gates.

But Nelson’s sharp voice suddenly crackled through the intercom. “Who is it?”

He had just come back, gone upstairs to check on his mother, and overheard the exchange as he returned downstairs.

“It’s a Mr. Jenkins,” the servant replied politely. “Here to see Miss Hayes—”

“What?” Nelson’s voice shot up an octave, fury igniting. “He came here? That arrogant little—”

His blood boiled as he rolled up his sleeves, already charging toward the front entrance. “I’ll deal with him myself!”

Just outside the gates, Brady caught Nelson’s voice—clear and unfiltered—thanks to the servant who hadn’t bothered to hang up the intercom.

Still, he didn’t flinch.

Drawing a steady breath, he stood his ground.

As the gates creaked open, Eric’s car pulled up at the same time, rolling to a stop at the entrance.

“Brady!” Nelson’s voice rang out.

“Mr. Hayes…” Brady managed a strained smile.

“You really think I’m a joke, don’t you?”

Nelson wasn’t alone. The same crew from before trailed behind him, their grins sharp with menace.

“You’ve got some nerve showing up here. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

With a snap of Nelson’s arm, his men surged forward, grabbing Brady before he could react.

“Mr. Scott!” Phillips called out in alarm, eyes darting toward Eric.

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But Eric was already moving—his door flung open, feet hitting the ground.

“Teach him a lesson. Make sure he remembers who’s in charge,” Nelson hissed.

Colleen glided down the staircase toward the kitchen, intent on fetching a glass of water.

As she passed the foyer, her eyes flicked toward the front door, still slightly ajar after the faint chime of the doorbell moments earlier.

She paused and turned to a servant nearby. “Who was at the door just now? Why hasn’t it been closed?”

The servant faltered, choosing her words carefully. “It was… a gentleman by the name of Jenkins.”

Colleen’s heart skipped a beat. Brady had been here?

It made perfect sense. Since they had become a couple, they had been in constant touch, sharing messages every day. With her phone confiscated, Brady must have grown anxious, unable to reach her.

Without a second thought, she pivoted toward the door.

“Miss Hayes!” the servant called out, halting her briefly. “Your brother just stepped outside…”

A shiver ran through Colleen, an uneasy feeling settling in her chest. She quickened her pace.

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