Caught in the Act

I burst through the front doors of my estate, ignoring the startled looks from my household staff. The urgent message from George, my butler, had me cutting my council meeting short despite Hudson's protests.

"Sir, we're not finished with the territorial negotiations," my Beta had argued, his face creased with concern.

"Handle it," I'd snapped, already halfway out the door. "I need to get back to the villa. Now."

The drive home had been a blur of speed and mounting tension. George's text was vague - "There's a situation with Miss Beaumont, sir" - but it was enough to set off every protective instinct I possessed.

As I strode through the grand foyer, I bypassed George, who stood nervously by the staircase.

"Where?" I demanded.

"The parlor, sir, but—"