Chapter 132
na sat frozen on the floor, her nails digging into her arms, eyes wild with fear. Images of Lucien’s ruthlessness over the years played through her mind like a nightmare reel.
She remembered the stories.
Of how he’d handled rogues who chim of how, at only five years old, he’d pushed her down the marble staircase after
she’d caused his mother’s death. How he’d ordered doctors to take her womb–how he’d ensured she’d never bear a child again
He was no longer the boy she could lie to.
He had become a monster draped in civility, and that monster was coming back.
Ford watched Seraphina trembling, her body like a wind–struck leaf. A sliver of pity stirred in him. No matter how wrong she’d been, she was still his wife. And Riley was just a girl. A younger generation. Surely this didn’t need to become a blood feud
He sighed heavily, stepped up to Matriarch Duskgrave’s side, and attempted a softer tone.
“Mother, today’s your eightieth birthday. Let’s not escalate this. Lucien has always been impulsive. Maybe we should all just… calm down.”
But Matriarch Duskgrave’s response was anything but calm.
She turned with fire in her ancient eyes and slammed her cane hard against Ford’s thigh.
THUD
He staggered slightly, stunned.
“You still have the gall to speak up for her?” she hissed. “If it weren’t for you bringing that trash into this family, do you think Riley would have suffered like this?”
“My granddaughter–in–law–whom I handpicked–was humiliated, stripped, nearly killed at my own birthday banquet, and you ask me to stay calm?!”
Ford clenched his jaw, the sting of humiliation sharper than her cane. He glanced around at the crowd and then, in an effort to preserve some dignity, marched to the grand doors of the ballroom and tried to force them open.
They didn’t budge.
“Duke,” he called out sternly, voice laced with authority. “Open this door. Now.”
Lucien’s assistant remained calmly near the control panel, still smiling
“If the Chairman doesn’t want Alpha Lucien furious. I suggest he remains right where he is.”
Ford’s tone sharpened “I can have you dismissed in five seconds
Duke nodded. “I believe you. But for now I serve someone else.”
Ford’s fare turned an angry shade of red, fists clenched, but there was nothing more he could do
The others watched in hormar as even the Chairman was being openly denied.
Fear spread like wildfire
Lady Seraphina crumpled to the floor, her designer dress ruined her mind broken.
The other sociales, now black and blue from their husbands fury whimpered and prayed Lucien might take pity
Chapter 132
But none dared speak again.
+8 Pearls
The air inside the grand ballroom had turned to ice, thick with dread. And everyone understood the same terrifying truth:
Lucien Duskgrave wasn’t done yet.
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