“Absolutely not,” Marcus Thorne barked, standing protectively in front of the Guest House door.
“It is not a request, Mr. Thorne,” Malcolm said, standing on the gravel path with William flanking him. “Beatrice’s argument hinges on the idea that Victoria is unstable and absent. We need to prove that the biological mother is present, competent, and bonding with the child.”
“She doesn’t remember the child!” Marcus argued, his voice rising. “You are going to traumatize her. She thinks her name is Elena.”
“Then we introduce her to Leo as ‘Elena,’” William interjected, his eyes pleading. “Just a meeting, Marcus. Supervised. If we don’t do this, Beatrice wins. Do you want Beatrice raising Victoria’s son?”
Marcus hesitated. He knew the history. He knew Beatrice was the “Vulture”. He looked back at the house where Victoria was hiding.
“Ten minutes,” Marcus hissed. “If she looks distressed for one second, I’m pulling the plug.”