Morning did not come gently. It arrived sharp, loud, and already moving.
The Ravenscroft mansion had been awake long before sunrise. Staff moved quickly through the halls, security checked every entrance twice, and the tension from the night before had not faded—it had only hardened into something more focused.
Today was not about surviving the situation.
Today was about stepping into it.
Sebastian stood in his study, already dressed, already composed, his expression cold and precise as he reviewed the documents laid out before him. Legal filings. Media reports. Evidence pulled overnight. Every piece of the war now laid out in front of him like a map.
Alaric entered without knocking.
"They're already gathering," he said. "Press, public, even investors. This is going to be packed."
Sebastian didn't look up immediately.
"Good."
Alaric watched him for a second. "Vale is not playing small. He wants to bury you publicly."
Sebastian finally lifted his gaze.
