Maya's POV
The silence between the two men stretched until it became unbearable. My chest tightened as I found myself holding my breath, my knuckles white against the banister.
At last, Roderick's lips curved into that familiar predatory smile.
"Perfect clarity." He retreated a single step, yielding ground without surrendering his position. "Though I wonder whether Arthur would agree with this sudden shift in priorities."
"Perhaps you should pose that question to me personally." Arthur's commanding voice cut through the tension from the entrance hall, causing us all to startle.
The family patriarch stood at the base of the staircase, his walking stick in one hand while Dolores supported his other arm. His weathered features were set in stern lines, but those penetrating eyes absorbed every detail of our confrontation.
"Grandfather." Roderick masked his surprise with practiced ease. "These operational discussions shouldn't burden you."
