he Mercedes estate dining hall, but instead of warmth,

ders, cousins and uncles all sat rig

inst the floor, silencing the noise. His face was un

"This is outrageous! Armed men break into our home in the dead of night, endan

Cole Ambers. Trouble follows him like a shadow. He's humiliated this family for year

he table. Several relati

ver, his face unreadable. He did

e memory of masked men breaking through her window still haunt

she said suddenly, he

ntly. Dozens of eyes t

ren't you, Andriana? Did you not see those me

voice did not falter. "Yes, they came for him. But if he h

ered across

savior? Don't be naïve. If not for

room. "Believe what you want. But I know what I saw. Those men were dangerous. Cole f

e room shifted uncomfortably. Even the e

o now you're defending him

napped back, surprising even her

nt, silenc

ony cannot be ignored. The fact remains that,enemies have appeared at our doorstep.

expression unreadable. "Tell me, Col

steady, unflinching. "They were mercenaries. Hire

erupte

himself. He's dragged some enemy into our live

e? Falcon Holdings will see this chaos and abandon us. The l

m. He studied Cole for a long moment, as if

aid. "Then I expect you to ensure it does not touc

heavy.Cole inclined his head

s eyes filled with barely concealed rage.Vivienne joined him, her lips c

ially not once Damien and

. "You'd deal with Dami

ly. That's what I want. Let Cole choke

ipping away.Outside, Cole and Andri

but firm. "Why didn't you tell them

ause the truth would destroy them.

last night I saw you fight like... lik

oftened for a fleeting moment. "One day, I'

n between doubt and be

ar. Marcus was sharpening his knives behind the scenes. And the family that mocked

ty already buzz

Servants talked, neighbors gossiped, and before long,the sto

in suits chuckled be

ven protect their daughter-in-law from a few masked

own, two women laughed a

gine that! A useless son-in-law so hated that crimin

commanded respect was bein

the morning reports with a faint smile. "So the storm begins." He picked up the phone. "Release a statement. Subtle but firm.

d. "Sir... do we menti

him carve his own path first. When the time

olled through her phone. Each he

aved By Husband... O

s Demand Son-In-

s Silent Amid M

he wanted to hurl the

t fair," s

ea. He set one beside her and took t

y twisting inside her. "They're mocking

wolves bare their teeth, it only prove

tion with a bowed head. But the way he spoke now... there was a quiet power benea

ht? What if Father starts doubting Falcon's

harp, met hers. "Then I'll show them all why Falcon s

circle.He sat at the head of a smaller chamber table, flanked by Marcus and Vivien

talks. Rumors spread like rot, if

ust cut out the source of the rot. Cast him out

sooner we rid ourselves of this burden

ors will not vanish just because you exile him. People will think we're weak and that we aba

flickered. "

ement! You can't truly believe Falcon Hold

h, they would not have signed with us in the first place. Their support will only grow strong

arcus slammed his fist on the table, h

n't waver. "If

rows, faint amusement glinting in his eyes. He h

htly. She wasn't sure wheth

sed. "Arroga

ily cannot afford public weakness. Tomorrow, Cole, you will attend the city's com

"You'd let him represent us? You'd parad

hardened. "Y

e, though his eyes burne

arm, her voice hushed. "The commerce luncheon... all o

Let them. Tomorrow, they'll laugh l

so calmly, as though certain of

ice, fury simmering. He poured himself

ck so

n," he

in a tailored black suit, his e

was beginning to wo

"Mr. Kross sends his regards. He

sten. If Cole Ambers wants war, he won't fight only enemie

in a thin smile. "Excellent

e perfect setting for the city's commerce luncheon. Every seat was fil

utes, but beneath the polite laughter and clinking g

ld Mercedes, Andriana, Marcu

tered, murmurs spr

him, i

in-law. The one th

dings signed a

the hall, barely conceal

n a satisfied smirk. "Look at them. By the end of t

eyes glinting. "And Fath

ore inviting attendees to mingle. Groups form

with a sharp tongue, approached the Mercedes

h your presence. And this mus

ell me, Mr. Ambers, how does it feel to be the talk of the city?

to hide his grin. This was exa

steadiness. His grip tightened, iron beneath velve

. "Better to be the subject of gossip than forg

nearby onlookers chuckled uneasily, the

ing his seat as if nothing had ha

r. Ambers, I must ask... what exactly do you do? Aside from scaring

llowed. Even Marcus chu

ats are handled before they touch those under my care. You may laugh, but when the st

like a blade. The

e faintest smile. Marcus, however,

ead, she was watching a different Cole,a man who held his ground with quiet authority, wh

is was someone far more dangerous.Then came

strode into the hall. His tailored suit, polished shoes, and

ers e

ings sent so

te time on lunc

ng Harold's table. He inclined his head respectfully

tend his regards. Falcon Holdings looks

rang

e's face drained of color. Harold's eye

alm smile. "Tell the director h

aving, his message delivered.And just like

ou see

ed Ambers d

more to him t

tain, but undeniable be

ne, whispering harshly. "This changes nothing. It's smoke and

"Then we'd better make s

family left the hall, And

vive that," she whis

yes remained sharp. "This was only the

the hall, a man in a dark suit observed quietly, phone pre

ou were right, he's not ordinary. But don't

state was quiet, but benea

. He had played his part at the luncheon not too strong, not too weak, jus

ere circl

ow of his desk lamp threw his shadow long across the wall

con Holdings bowing to him, not to Father,

him steal the spotlight. He's a parasite and a s

desk buzzed. Marc

e speaker. "Still fuming, Marcus? I hear

ured. "Damien. If you

ou. I called to offer a solution. You want Cole Ambers dest

d, eyes gleaming. "And

irreversible. I'll provide the stage, you provide the bait.

to a cruel smile. "Good

vate study. The old man sat behind a heavy

ay," Harold said, his tone neu

head. "I did only

like a man who has led armies, not one who has been mocked in

r grew

grandson-in-law. And the man who will en

into something that almost resembled a smile. "Bold

old's thoughts churned.He is no ordinary man. Perhap

e, standing at the window of their room. His pos

he said softly. "Not really. You gave

ous than lies. If your family knew everything,

hough you've fought wars. As if you

y. "I've lived enough to know that,loyalty is rare, betra

er hand brushing his. "Then promise me one thing, Cole. Whatever secrets yo

racked. He squeezed her

ad bulb, Damien Kross stood before his men. His sc

im. He thinks the Mercedes family is his shield. Fo

pened, revealing weapons, forg

agreed to play his part. Soon, Ambers will walk into o

roval.Damien's grin wide

ndriana. She drifted to sleep quickly, exhaustion pulling h

wait long. And Marcus ha

.And when it broke,