The next morning after the Lanzo family banquet, Eric Crown sat at the breakfast table. His food was half eaten. He was reading the papers, brow furrowed, coffee untouched and cold.
Senior Madam Crown watched her son from across the table, the steam of her tea curling between them.
"Is there anything worth reading?" she asked, setting her cup down. "Or is it just news that the Lanzo family wanted to start another war at their own event?"
She sighed heavily, the sound full of old fatigue. "I am beginning to think all Senior Marcus cares about is himself. By the way, I need to see the Lanzo family's Senior Madam."
Eric glanced up. "Mother."
"She is overwhelmed," Senior Madam Crown continued, ignoring him. "All their family drama, and a son who is past puberty but behaves as if he is an adolescent. I cannot believe I once thought of marrying that man."
She shook her head, lips pressed thin. "What mother can stand watching her son trying to bring the family down?"
