Vivienne offered a perfunctory smile, the old grudges still simmering beneath the surface.

"We've got company at the moment. My father will join us shortly. Please, make yourselves at home. Dinner will be served soon," Dracon explained before bustling off. Vivienne took a sip of her water. "Is this their idea of a power play?"

Karen shrugged it off. "If Yorick wanted to put me in my place, he'd use something more sophisticated than this."

It was clear, though, that Dracon intended to make this power move personally.

Vivienne chuckled, choosing to remain silent.

An hour passed, with neither Vivienne nor Karen receiving any attention. Dracon was off somewhere, busy, and Yorick had not emerged from his study.

Only when the servants had finished setting the table and called everyone for dinner did Yorick finally make an appearance.

Dracon hurried over to his side, along with a woman, both offering their support as Yorick descended the stairs.

"Lark, when did you arrive?" Yorick seemed genuinely surprised to see Karen.

With a slight curl of her lips, Karen's eyes flickered towards Dracon. "Been here a while. Mr. Linklater insisted we shouldn't disturb you, so I did not." Vivienne's gaze landed on the woman by Yorick's side, her smile laden with meaning.

Yorick glanced at Dracon, his voice tinged with reprimand. "Dracon, didn't I say to send Lark and Vivienne to my study when they arrived?"

Dracon looked down sheepishly. "Sorry, Dad, I was too busy. It slipped my mind."

Vivienne smirked, "Wasn't Mr. Linklater just overseeing the kitchen the whole time? Playing supervisor?"

Dracon managed an awkward laugh. Vivienne was clearly hinting that he had done it on purpose.

how to behave as a guest in someone

further comment with everyone

turned to the woman on his right,

first, "Yorick, no need

woman was none

here, at the dinner table of the former head of Vanguard Agency.

half-smile. But distorted through the

here. Allow me to apologize for my past ignorance and offer a toast as a gesture of my remorse," Gillian said with a polished grace that was hard to

wasn't my face you slashed. No

at Vivienne's public announcement of her past actions, but she maintained her

back then, and Mara's words provoked me. I

you've paid the price. We can't label someone a villain for life over a single mistake. Ms. Ashford, don't

man was really challenging her patience

or the consequences might be severe next time. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Linklater?"

nervously, offering no

a secretary in the Vanguard

an eyebrow. A secretary in the Vanguard Agency's

capabilities were proving to be much greater

was actually studying to join

joining the Vanguard Agency? Gillian likely did

Vivienne's curiosity was

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