Hull, usually so reserved, seemed uncharacteristically willing to join Susanna in her love of gossip.


    "Wait, hold on," Susanna suddenly said, curiosity lighting her face. "How do you even know what''s happening over at cktower?"


    Hull just shrugged, as if it were nothing at all. “I''ve got people in there.”


    Susanna stared at him, incredulous. "Seriously? Is there anything you can''t do? This is Litamark-ck Gate''s own territory! cktower''s like their inner sanctum, basically the stronghold of their top brass. And you just... nted someone inside?"


    For the first time, Susanna looked at Hull with genuine awe. Maybe he really was as formidable as the rumors said.


    Hull gave a quiet chuckle. “So, do you think they''ll actually go through with the paternity test today?"


    Susanna blinked. "Huh?"


    Could they really? After all, we''re talking about the child of Derek''s one true love. Susanna had always thought, no matter the mess, Derek would never let it get this far. But in just a matter of hours, everything had spun out of control.


    She narrowed her eyes at Hull. "Wait a minute—did you prompt Barnaby to get under Derek''s skin on purpose with all those things he said?"


    Hull returned her look evenly. "And what about you? All that stuff you said yesterday -was that deliberate?"


    "Not at all! I was just being honest," Susanna shot back.


    “Barnaby was just being honest too," Hull said, almost mildly.


    The truth hit Susanna like cold water.


    So it really was all just the truth-yet it was enough to push Derek over the edge and send him running for a paternity test. When pride is on the line, who cares about a cherished love from the past? Adored and protected all those years, and now look at them...


    Hull''s phone buzzed again, the caller from earlier. He answered directly.


    At the same time, Susanna''s own phone started ringing. With Hull already on a call, she picked hers up and stepped aside, answering briskly.


    Ivanna''s shrill, panicked voice erupted from the other end. "Susanna, you bitch- what the hell did you say to my dad?"


    Susanna paused, eyebrow raised.


    "My mom already agreed to let you


    back into cktower, what else do


    you want?" Ivanna was almost screeching now. "You just love tearing us apart, don''t you? Telling people we''re not Dad''s kids who do you think you are? Maybe you''re the real bastard here!"


    A cold mask settled over Susanna''s features. "So what if I am?" she sneered It''s not like I''m desperate to be his kid


    to be his kid. You''re the one who''s desperate. Freaking out over a


    paternity test-by the sound of it, you''re probably the one who doesn''t belong."


    She''d learned a thing or two about fighting dirty from hanging around Star. When peoplee for you, never back down—just throw it right back, and throw it harder. Never let them see you flinch.


    Ivanna, already at the end of her rope over the looming test, practically unraveled at Susanna''s words. The insults struck a nerve, deep and raw.


    "You-you bitch-!"


    "Oh, please," Susanna shot back, ice-cold. "You can''t even think up a better insult than that? Just wait till the paternity results are out. If it turns out you''re nowhis, it''s not just you your mother gets dragged right down with you."


    A heavy silence. Then, Ivanna-too furious for words mmed down the call.


    Listening to the abrupt beep of the disconnected line, Susanna smirked. "Lose your nerve and hang up when you''re outmatched? Pathetic."


    Hull was just finishing his own call. He''d caught some of Susanna''s cutting remarks, and as he dropped his phone on the table, he looked over at her.


    Susanna turned to find him watching her, his gaze thoughtful. "What?" she demanded, arching an eyebrow. "Why are you staring at me like that?"