Lucas, perched on the balustrade of the grand staircase, sipped from his glass of crimson liquid, unaffected by the commotion. "What's with the ruckus, Reuben? Since we're using first names now," he quipped, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Word has it you killed Sebastian yesterday," Reuben accused, his voice carrying a mix of anger and concern.
"Who is 'word'?" Lucas feigned innocence, taking another sip of his warm drink.
"Don't play games with me, boy," Reuben snapped, his patience wearing thin.
"Okay, then. Who is Sebastian?" Lucas countered, a subtle challenge in his tone.
"The councilman you killed yesterday, Lucas. Do not tempt me," Reuben warned, his voice lowering to a dangerous level.
Lucas contemplated causing a scene but opted for restraint. "If you really think about it, Reuben, he was going to get himself killed sooner or later," Lucas stated calmly, taking another leisurely sip.
"We did not bother you, Lucas, but now you've killed one of ours. I cannot guarantee you peace anymore," Reuben threatened, his stance rigid with authority.
Lucas remained unfazed. "And I heard you took the girl he bought," Reuben added, his accusatory gaze fixed on Lucas.
Lucas arched a brow but remained silent, allowing the accusation to hang in the air.
Charlotte, who had been eavesdropping instead of attending to her duties, felt her breath hitch. Undoubtedly, they were talking about her.
"If you happened to be present, Reuben, you'd notice that I didn't touch your councilman. I simply offered to pay double for the slave before putting on a show, tearing himself like an animal," Lucas explained, his voice calm but firm. "Is that the type of people you hire in the council, Reuben? Animals?"
Lucas refrained from addressing the head councilman so informally but made it clear he would not be intimidated.
"Do not say I did not warn you, Lucas," Reuben threatened once more before storming out of the mansion.
"Seems like I'm getting soft, don't you think, Louis?" Lucas remarked to the butler, who squirmed in fear and incompetence for failing to keep the councilman at bay.