The hall fell into a thick silence, that even the ticking of the clock was louder than the hammers hitting against a nail.
For Emily, the tension wasn't in any way lesser; she held her breath for whatever might be coming next.
Though she had wanted to remind the Sterlings of the inappropriateness of their action, yet the truth that she was simply a mistake was like a chain around her neck.
Lucian chuckled softly. His eyes scanned the faces around the table as he took in their expressions.
Seeing them choking on their words was a great relief… maybe he had been worried in vain, but he could still feel the tremble of her hands in his.
She had been sore-afraid, yet she had spoken defiantly.
Slowly, he retracted his gaze until it stopped on his grandfather.
Elder Sterling's fingers curled, his knuckles whitening around his cane. A thin muscle twitched along his jawline.
