Skip to content
Novel Catalog
The words cut through the tense atmosphere like a blade. Everyone turned their heads toward the source of the voice. It was deep, commanding, and unmistakable.
A tall, imposing figure walked into the scene, his sharp gaze locking onto Josh Burton. His presence was almost suffocating, carrying a weight that immediately caused the room to hush. Audrey’s heart skipped a beat as she recognized him—Erik Swann.
The bodyguards, who had been moving toward Catherine with a sense of assurance, faltered for a split second. The shift in the air was palpable, and even Josh’s expression stiffened. Erik’s icy stare met Josh’s, and there was a silence that seemed to stretch on forever.
Josh’s lips twitched, clearly taken aback by the sudden intrusion, but he quickly recovered. “What’s the meaning of this, Erik?” he asked, though there was an unmistakable wariness in his tone.
Erik took a step closer, his posture radiating confidence and authority. His gaze flickered momentarily toward Catherine and Audrey, both of whom were standing resolute despite the looming threat. His voice was cold, but his words were sharp and unequivocal.
“I could ask you the same, Josh. I hear you’re threatening my family here. Careful where you tread.”
There was no mistaking the undercurrent of menace in his voice. Erik was a man who commanded respect, and with one glance, he made it clear that Josh’s actions would not go unchallenged.
Sheryl, who had been standing behind her father, quickly became flustered. “Daddy, don’t let him intimidate you!” she hissed, but there was no hiding the fear that crept into her voice.
Josh, trying to regain control of the situation, cleared his throat and glared at Erik. “This is none of your business, Erik. Your family has no place in this matter.”
Catherine, still standing calm and composed, finally spoke up. Her voice was low but sharp, cutting through the tension like a knife. “Actually, Mr. Burton, I think it is my business. Your wife and daughter decided to make this personal, and now you’re threatening to have us hurt. I suggest you take a step back.”
Erik’s eyes narrowed, his focus never wavering from Josh. “What my family does is my business. And I don’t take kindly to threats against my own.” His tone was colder than ever, and the look he gave Josh was a warning.
Josh swallowed hard, his posture stiffening as the reality of his situation began to sink in. He was no longer the one holding all the power in the room. Erik was a force to be reckoned with, and everyone present knew it.
Audrey, still shaken but feeling a rush of relief, watched as her brother-in-law stood firmly by Catherine’s side. She couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude toward Erik. He had always been someone who could command attention without raising his voice, and now it was clear that the Burtons had underestimated just how far the Swanns would go to protect their own.
Sheryl, realizing the situation had spiraled out of her control, took a step back, her face red with frustration. “You can’t just walk in here and threaten my father like that!” she shouted, but there was little conviction in her voice now. She was outmatched, and she knew it.
Erik didn’t respond to her, his attention still fixed on Josh. “You know what you’re up against, Josh. I suggest you walk away before this gets any uglier.”
The two bodyguards, once eager to follow Josh’s orders, now stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do next. The once tense room had shifted entirely, with Erik’s presence quelling any further attempts at aggression.
Josh, realizing the battle was lost, took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He shot a final glare at Catherine and Audrey before turning to his daughter and wife. “Let’s go,” he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.
As the Burtons retreated, the tension in the air lifted. Audrey let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She turned to Catherine, her face softening with relief and admiration. “That was… amazing.”
Catherine offered her a rare, almost imperceptible smile, but it was enough to make Audrey’s heart swell. “We’re not done yet,” Catherine said calmly, her eyes briefly flickering toward Erik. “But for now, let’s go home.”
With the Burtons leaving in their wake, the two women, along with Erik, made their way out of the shop, the storm of the confrontation finally subsiding. Though the day had taken an unexpected turn, Audrey couldn’t shake the feeling that they had just made their mark, and the Burtons would think twice before crossing paths with the Swanns again.