The air dipped. Even Ash blinked.
"Mm," Sylas drawled. "That didn't sound like a professional observation, future brother-in-law."
Kael's jaw ticked. "Watch your words."
"I thought you didn't deal in rumors," Sylas said, innocent as a dove.
Ash was smiling now. Enjoying it. Sadist.
Stanley raised an eyebrow at his children. "Am I missing something?"
"No," the twin said in unison. It would've been funny if it didn't feel like someone had a knife to my throat under the table.
The Vice President, unbothered, turned to me instead. "So, young lady. Which name here do you belong to?"
The question landed like a grenade dipped in wine. Before I could say anything,
"She belongs to herself," Kael said, his voice low and final.
And I could feel every eye on me. Sylas's fingers tapped once against the back of my chair. Ash reached for her wine.
Mr. Stanley just smiled like he was watching a new war bloom.
