She was turning his empire upside down, chipping away at his hard-won power while his grandsons were oblivious, blinded by her charms and reassurances.
"Do you think I'm unaware?" he said, his voice so low it was nearly a whisper, but every word was sharp as a blade. "I know exactly what Rose is doing. I see it all. But she is not just any woman. She is my grandsons' chosen wife, and she carries with her a fire. She may think she's winning, but her recklessness will be her downfall. This is a game of patience—and I have all the time in the world."
The woman hesitated, then dared one final question. "But Lord, if she wins, we'll lose everything. Do you truly trust her?"
