Before the heavy wooden cane could descend, a firm hand caught Clara's wrist.
Ethan pushed her gently behind his shoulder with surprising strength and control.
Ethan: That is enough, Clara, step back into safety.
Clara: But Mr. Ethan, she was going to strike you!
Ethan: She will never strike anyone in this house ever again.
Victoria let out a loud, mocking laugh that filled the high ceilings.
Victoria: And who is going to stop me from doing whatever I want?
Victoria: A man who cannot even stand up to go to the bathroom?
Ethan reached down slowly with both hands and grabbed the heavy lap blanket.
He threw the thick wool fabric aside, revealing strong, muscular legs underneath.
Victoria's laugh died instantly in her throat as she watched his calm movement.
Ethan firmly planted both of his leather shoes directly onto the cold marble floor.
He shifted his heavy weight forward, engaging his powerful leg muscles completely.
Slowly and deliberately, Ethan rose straight up out of the black wheelchair.
He expanded his broad chest and stood tall at his full six-foot height.
Victoria gasped sharply, stumbling backward until her spine hit the grand staircase.
Her hands began to shake as she dropped her cane onto the marble floor.
The heavy wood clattered loudly, echoing through the silence of the massive hallway.
Victoria: This is impossible... the head doctor showed me all your spine scans!
Ethan: The doctor was paid well to keep my real condition completely hidden.
Victoria: You... you have been walking this whole time inside my house?
Ethan: I spent six months regaining my physical strength while watching your actions.
Ethan stepped forward, his heavy shoes striking the marble with solid authority.
He backed Victoria into the sharp edge of the carved wooden stair railing.
Ethan: The car accident never paralyzed my spinal cord, Victoria.
Victoria: Why would you lie to me for half a year?
Ethan: Because I needed you to believe you had won everything completely.
Ethan: A greedy snake only shows its venom when it feels totally safe.
Clara smiled through her sudden tears, watching her employer stand like a tower.
Victoria backed up another step, her face completely drained of all red color.
Victoria: You tricked me into signing those full asset management forms!
Ethan: No, you signed those forms because your blind greed clouded your mind.
Ethan: And every single transaction you made was recorded by my legal team.