Julian moved forward with sudden, terrifying speed, lunging across the damp basement floor[span_99](start_span)[span_99](end_span).
He reached out with a heavy hand, grabbing Lily’s wrist and wrenching the child toward him[span_100](start_span)[span_100](end_span).
Julian: Come here, you little parasite! You're going into the storage trunk right now[span_101](start_span)[span_101](end_span)!
Lily: Grandma! Help me! Daddy is hurting my arm[span_102](start_span)[span_102](end_span)!
The six-year-old shrieked in agony as Julian twisted her small wrist, trying to pull her from Clara’s grip[span_103](start_span)[span_103](end_span).
Clara didn't hesitate. All the fear and shock that had paralyzed her limbs evaporated into pure grandmotherly rage[span_104](start_span)[span_104](end_span).
She grabbed the heavy iron water valve resting beside the boiler wall and swung it with both hands[span_105](start_span)[span_105](end_span).
The solid metal struck Julian directly across his left collarbone with a sickening crack[span_106](start_span)[span_106](end_span).
Julian roared in pain, releasing his grip on Lily and stumbling backward into a wooden shelf of old paint cans[span_107](start_span)[span_107](end_span).
Julian: You crazy old bitch! You broke my shoulder[span_108](start_span)[span_108](end_span)!
Clara: Run, Lily! Climb up those stairs! Push through the door[span_109](start_span)[span_109](end_span)!
Lily scrambled across the damp cement, her tiny bare feet slipping on the slick floor as she scrambled toward the wooden staircase[span_110](start_span)[span_110](end_span).
Julian shook his head, spitting blood onto the concrete as he pulled himself up using the splintered wooden shelf[span_111](start_span)[span_111](end_span).
Julian: Stop her! Don't let her reach the upper hall[span_112](start_span)[span_112](end_span)!
Julian lunged for the stairs, but Clara threw her frail body directly into his path, clawing at his face[span_113](start_span)[span_113](end_span).
Her fingernails raked deep red lines down his cheek and jaw, ripping away the mask of the refined billionaire heir[span_114](start_span)[span_114](end_span).
Julian: Get off me!
Julian raised his uninjured right arm and struck Clara across the temple with an open-hand blow[span_115](start_span)[span_115](end_span).
Clara collapsed onto the cold cement, her head spinning as stars danced across her vision[span_116](start_span)[span_116](end_span).
Lily: Grandma! Wake up, Grandma[span_117](start_span)[span_117](end_span)!
Lily stood at the top landing, pounding her small fists against the cellar door that led into the kitchen[span_118](start_span)[span_118](end_span).
The interior lock had clicked shut when Julian descended[span_119](start_span)[span_119](end_span).
Julian limped up the wooden steps, breathing heavily, blood dripping from his chin onto his designer shirt[span_120](start_span)[span_120](end_span).
Julian: You're not going anywhere, you miserable brat. I sacrificed everything to fix this family’s name[span_121](start_span)[span_121](end_span)!
Clara: Lily... the brass handle on the wine rack! Grab the iron rod[span_122](start_span)[span_122](end_span)!
Lily looked down the stairs, tears streaming down her hollow cheeks, her entire body shaking with terror[span_123](start_span)[span_123](end_span).
Julian reached the top step, extending his hand to snatch Lily’s hair[span_124](start_span)[span_124](end_span).
Julian: You're going into the back of that van whether you want to or not[span_125](start_span)[span_125](end_span)!
Suddenly, the heavy kitchen door swung open from the outside with enormous force[span_126](start_span)[span_126](end_span).
The solid oak wood struck Julian directly in the face, knocking him backward down the entire flight of steep cellar stairs[span_127](start_span)[span_127](end_span).
Julian tumbled down the wooden steps, crashing heavily against the concrete floor with a sickening thud[span_128](start_span)[span_128](end_span).
Standing in the bright doorway of the kitchen was a woman in a soaked beige trench coat, holding a heavy iron fireplace poker[span_129](start_span)[span_129](end_span).
Evelyn: Step away from that child, Julian, before I cave your skull in[span_130](start_span)[span_130](end_spa