When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2077

Jonathan was a single breath from Miranda's grasp when Ivy stepped in, a wall of resolve that forced the furious woman to skid to a stop.

“Madam, harassing a child doesn't exactly showcase your sophistication,” Ivy said, voice cool as glass.

Miranda's brows knitted at the audacity before her. “And who are you to lecture me?”

She pivoted sharply, stilettos clicking like pistol shots, beckoning the approaching manager, Elodie Bourke, with a single imperious glance.

“Ms. Bourke, is this how you train your staff?”

Elodie, fresh on the scene, blinked, still piecing together the chaos she had just entered.

“Mrs. Rainsworth, please, what has happened? Who upset you?” Elodie asked, smile strained but polite.

“Her. Fire her, right now,” Miranda ordered, a lacquered finger stabbing toward Ivy.

Elodie's gaze followed the accusation and settled on the young saleswoman.

“Ivy Young, what is the meaning of this? How dare you disrespect our top client? Apologize this instant!”

Elodie's conscience twisted. She knew Ivy—first in, last out, a farm girl fighting for every paycheck. Dismissing her felt like tossing loyalty in the trash.

“Ms. Bourke, with respect, this Mrs. Rainsworth began this. She tried to rip a child's mask away by force. If we permit that in our boutique, what will people think of us?”

Behind her, Jonathan's eyes shone with fresh admiration for the stranger who had stepped up without hesitation.

Moments like these proved the world still housed plenty of good souls.

Elodie frowned ever so slightly. She had expected Ivy to read the room, to ride the current rather than fight it. Instead, the woman stood there like a rock in a river, hopelessly rigid.

Elodie snapped, “Ivy, shut your mouth right now.”

Ivy opened her lips to protest, but the warning in Elodie's eyes flashed like a red light at a railroad crossing. She swallowed her words and let silence close around her.

Jonathan reached up, his small fingers barely wrapped around Ivy's hand, and said, word by deliberate word, “Don't be afraid. I will protect you.”

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