hoke on. Elenore took another leisurely sip of tea, l

et, "as the Duchess of Hawthorne, I am here today to discuss a matter of private property."

able. The movement was slow, deliberate, every gesture designed to remind them that she held all the power now. "This is a complete i

fund, plundered for her own vanities and to support her less-successful relatives. Julian frowned, tryin

t becomes that daughter's exclusive personal property." She was using their own rules, their own rigid system, as a weapon. "The list includes three country manors, a block

a could no longer contain herself. "That's absurd! Most of that has

lked right in. "Under Kingdom law, that is theft," Elenore continued, voice dropping to a near whisper, making the threat even more potent. "A Duchess, stealing from her own stepdaughte

"Elenore, this is a family matter. There is no need for such ugly accusations. When your position with the Duke is more s

our other daughter? Is that the stability you mean, Father?" She threw the ugly truth onto the table, shattering the frag

roared, face con

three days. Within three days, I expect the deeds to the properties and a bank draft for the full value of the remaining assets to be delivered to me at Hawthorne Manor." She issued her ultimatum, voice ringing with finality. "If I do not have what is mine in three days..

mean a full public audit of the family's finances. Every dirty secret, every debt, every scandal would be laid bare f

girl she had tormented for years had returned as an avenging angel, ready to burn their world to the ground. Without another word, Elenore turned and w