Violet stood motionless, the weight of her own downfall pressing down on her like an unbearable force. She had spent years ensuring that no one dared to challenge her authority, yet here she was—cornered, humiliated, and with no choice but to surrender.
Swallowing the bitter taste of defeat, she turned to Seren, her lips pressing into a thin line before forcing out the words she never thought she would say.
"I… apologize," she said stiffly, her voice lacking its usual sharpness. "I was wrong to accuse you without knowing the full truth."
Seren blinked in surprise, not expecting the apology, but her mother remained impassive.
Winter arched a brow, watching Violet with silent scrutiny. She could see the forced restraint in the woman's expression, the way her fingers curled into her palms as if trying to hold onto the last shreds of her pride.
But it no longer mattered.
Violet Thames was defeated.
