“He secured his legacy!” Beatrice corrected, raising her hand. Her diamond rings glinted under the fluorescent lights like brass knuckles. “And now, I’m going to make sure you never forget your place.”

She prepared to strike. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the impact, unable to lift my arms to defend myself.

But the blow never landed.

Chapter 3: The Titan Enters

Beatrice’s hand froze in mid-air. Her eyes, fixed on something over my shoulder, widened. Her expression shifted from rage to confusion, and then, rapidly, to absolute terror.

A deep, baritone voice boomed from the doorway, shaking the very walls of the room.

“Touch my daughter again, and you lose the hand.“

Beatrice stumbled back, dropping her bag. It hit the floor with a heavy clunk.