My Husband Broke a Plate Over My Head—Then I Broke His Dynasty

The front doors banged open, and four Napa County sheriff deputies stepped into the grand foyer, their hands resting on their holsters, followed closely by two paramedics carrying orange trauma kits.

"Deputies, thank God you're here," Charles Vance said smoothly, instantly stepping forward with an open, charming smile. "There's been an unfortunate domestic accident. A dish slipped, a minor cut occurred. My daughter-in-law panicked and called dispatch. We have private physicians on retainer—"

"Step back, sir," the lead deputy, a stern officer with a badge reading Miller, ordered firmly. "Ma'am, are you the caller?"

"I am," I said, stepping past Maya. The white napkin was completely soaked through with crimson.

The female paramedic immediately guided me to a chair, shining a penlight into my dilated pupils while unwrapping sterile gauze. "Deep laceration on the left temple. Signs of a moderate concussion. We need to transport her for stitches and a CT scan."

"Officer, look at this table," I pointed with a bloody finger. "Look at the shattered plate. Look at the blood on his cuffs."

Deputy Miller turned to Adrian. "Sir, step over here. Hands behind your back."

"Do you know who my father is?" Adrian snapped, his arrogant veneer returning now that he wasn't alone with my phone. "I am Adrian Vance. Our firm handles municipal bonding for this entire county. You don't put your hands on me!"

"Turn around, Mr. Vance," Miller repeated, his voice dropping into hard authority.

Within seconds, the metallic click of handcuffs echoed through the dining room.

"Adrian!" Eleanor shrieked, clutching her pearl necklace. "Officer, this is ridiculous! She provoked him! She insulted our entire heritage!"

"Madam, if you interfere with an active felony arrest, you will join him in the squad car," Deputy Miller warned.

As they pushed Adrian toward the front entrance, Maya slipped past the officers and walked up to Deputy Miller. Charles caught her by the wrist, squeezing with enough pressure to whiten his knuckles.

"Maya, think about Julian. Think about your kids," Charles whispered in a venomous undertone.

Maya yanked her arm free with unexpected violence. "I’ve thought about them for four years, Charles."

She turned directly to Deputy Miller. "Officer, while you are securing the premises, you need to execute a safety sweep of the carriage house basement. The heavy steel door behind the wine barrels."

Charles went entirely gray. Eleanor let out a strangled, breathless cry.