16 Chapter 16 – Banned and Beckoned
Time seemed to stop as Nathaniel Ricardo rushed toward us. His face–previously a mask of cold indifference–contorted with panic as he reached the Rate.
“Open it!” he barked at the guard. “Now!”
The guard fumbled with the controls. The massive iron gates parted with a metallic groan, Nathaniel was through them before they’d fully opened.
He dropped to his knees beside us, gently taking Mrs. Margaret from my arms. His hands trembled slightly–the only crack in his otherwise commanding presence
and
“Grandmother,” he said softly, his voice a stark contrast to the harsh tone he’d used moments
ago. “Can you hear me?”
Mrs. Margaret’s eyelids fluttered. “Nathaniel… my pills…
“I’ve got you. He lifted her effortlessly, cradling her against his chest like she weighed nothing. His
eves met mine briefly–dark, intense, and unreadable–before he turned toward the house.
“Call Dr. Reynolds, he ordered the guard over his shoulder. “Tell him to meet us immediately”
I stood there, uncertain what to do. My legs felt weak from kneeling on the hand ground, and my heart still raced with worry for Mrs. Margaret.
“Wait. I called after him. “Is she going to be okay?”
Nathaniel paused, glancing back at me. “Come. She’ll want you there when she wakes?
Before I could move, Imogen stepped directly in my path, her perfectly manicured hand pressing against my shoulder.
“You’re not going anywhere, she hissed, her voice low enough that only I could hear. “Your little
scheme ends here”
I brushed her hand away. “I’m not scheming anything. I’m concerned about Mrs. Margaret”
“Mrs. Margaret?” Liam’s voice rang out as he approached from a parked car I hadn’t noticed. “First–name basis with the Ricardo matriarch already? You move fast, Juliana”
My stomach clenched at the sight of him. Four
rs of his pursuit in college, then the crushing public rejection at graduation when he’d learned of my “illegitimate status. Now here he stood, looking as handsome and cruel as ever.
“This doesn’t concern you, Liam,” I said, trying to step around Imogen.
He blocked my path. “Everything that happens on Ricardo property concerns me. Especially when it involves my ex trying to worm her way into my family.
16 Chapter 16–Banned and Beckoned
“Your family?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re not even married to Imogen yet.”
His eyes narrowed. “Speaking of marriage… Imogen tells me you’ve found yourself a husband. Some punk, I hear. Was he the best you could do? Or just the only one desperate enough to take damaged goods?”
The old Juliana would have flinched at his words. The new me simply stared back coldly.
“You know nothing about my husband,” I replied. “Now excuse me.”
“Oh, I know enough, Liam sneered, stepping closer. “Some nobody who probably married you for whatever scraps you managed to steal from the Johnson fortune.”
Mom chimed in, her voice dripping with venom. “She’s clearly trying to trade up now. First, she marries some random man, and now she’s bringing old ladies to the Ricardo estate, pretending to care.”
“I never pretended anything” I said firmly. “Mrs. Margaret needed help.
Imogen gave a theatrical gasp. “Are you trying to seduce Nathaniel Ricardo?” She turned to Liam. “She’s brought his grandmother here as an excuse to get close to him!”
Liam’s face darkened dangerously. “Is that your game, Juliana? Not satisfied with your lowlife husband, so you’re setting your sights on my uncle? A married man?”
My head spun. Uncle? Married? What was he talking about?
“–‘
“You haven’t changed at all, Liam cut me off. “Still the same nasty creature underneath that
innocent face.
He turned to the guard who stood awkwardly by the gate. “This woman is permanently banned from Ricardo property. If she shows up again, call security immediately.”
The guard nodded uncertainly. “Yes, sir, Mr. Ricardo.”
“You can’t do that,” I protested. “Mrs. Margaret asked me to-”
“Mrs. Margaret is an old woman with dementia,” Imogen interjected smoothly. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying half the time. Nathaniel will understand once we explain how you manipulated
her.
I opened my mouth to argue when a voice called from the direction of the house.
“Ms. Johnson?”
We all turned to see a man in a butler’s uniform standing at attention several yards away. His face was expressionless, his posture perfect.
“Yes?” I answered cautiously.
16 Chapter 16 Banned and Beckoned
“Mr. Ricardo requests your presence in the drawing room,” he said formally. “If you would follow me, please.
Liam’s jaw dropped. Imogen’s eyes bulged. Mom made a strangled noise.
“There must be some mistake, Liam recovered first. “I just instructed that this woman be banned from the property.
The butler didn’t even blink. “I’m following direct orders from Mr. Nathaniel Ricardo, sir. Ms. Johnson is to join him and Mrs. Margaret immediately”
A small, petty part of me wanted to savor the shock on their faces, but worry for Mrs. Margaret outweighed everything else.
“Thank you,” I said to the butler, starting toward him. “How is she doing?”
“The doctor is with her now,” he replied, turning to lead the way.
“This is ridiculous!” Imogen hissed, following close behind us. “Liam, do something!”
Liam caught i
to me in three long strides, grabbing my elbow. “What did you say to my uncle? What lies have you been spreading?”
I yanked my arm free. “Nothing. I just helped his grandmother when she needed it. Something you were too busy throwing your weight around to do.”
We entered through imposing double doors into a marble–floored foyer that could have housed my entire apartment. Chandeliers cast warm light over antique furniture and priceless art. Despite my concern, I couldn’t help but marvel at the grandeur.
The butler led us down a wide hallway to an even more opulent drawing room. Mrs. Margaret was reclining on a sofa while a silver–haired man–presumably Dr. Reynolds–packed up his medical bag.
Nathaniel stood by the fireplace, his powerful frame silhouetted against the flames. When he saw me, something flickered in his eyes–recognition, perhaps, or calculation.
Before anyone could speak, Mrs. Margaret’s voice rang out.
“Juliana, dear! Come here.” She patted the space beside her. “The doctor says I’ll be fine, just a little episode. My new medication is working wonders.”
As I moved toward her, I heard Imogen mutter behind me, “Nasty creature!
Mhead snapped up, her elderly face suddenly fierce. She looked past me to where
Liam, Imogen, and my mother hovered near the doorway.
“Who, she demanded, her voice sharp as a blade, “are you calling a ‘nasty creature“?”
