“Rex<b>, </be here.” The child’s voice rang out clear, carrying across the room. The German Shepherd, who’d been sprawledzily nearby, perked up at themand and bounded over at once.


    “Good boy.” York ruffled Rex’s fur, grinning as the dog wagged his tail furiously by his side, showing not a hint of remorse for causing a scene.


    The two–boy and dog–were soon lost in their own world, ying together,pletely ignoring the curious stares from the other guests.


    “Butler Dawson, take the dog away.” No one had noticed Max appear behind York, his tone cool and authoritative. York looked annoyed but reluctantly handed the


    leash to Butler Dawson.


    With the dog led away, an awkward silence settled over the party. In the corner, Ste was grinning so wide her eyes disappeared. She quickly sent the video she’d just recorded to someone, then, with a deliberate “slip,” forwarded it to the ss group chat–only to delete it momentster.


    The group chat went dead silent, but Ste knew she’d already achieved what she


    wanted.


    “Didn’t expect you to be such a troublemaker,” Penny teased, a glint of mischief in her eyes.


    “Takes one to know one,” Ste shot back without missing a beat.


    Penny arched an eyebrow but let it drop. Truth was, she wasn’t thrilled about Ileana’s sudden appearance either.


    The day Ileana returned, Yvonne had dragged her straight to the Sullivans for a formal introduction. She fawned over her cousins, yed the perfect angel in front of the adults, and always seemed to highlight her own misfortune by using the other girls–Penny included as props.


    Penny was used to swallowing her feelings, but not everyone else was so patient. In the end, Ileana always managed toe out on top. So if someone wanted to embarrass her, why should Penny stand in the way?


    “Where are you off to?” Penny asked as she saw Ste pocket her phone and get ready to leave.


    “The show’s over. Time to call it a night. See you tomorrow.” Ste gave a carefree


    wave and sauntered–out.


    <b>14:43 </b>


    Watching Ste’s easy exit, Penny felt a pang of envy. She and Alessia had <b>teamed </b>up for one simple reason: they were both pawns, trapped in the games of the Sullivans and the Tates. No matter how hard they tried, they’d never get a share of the real power. If they wanted to break free from this gilded cage, they had to keep sharpening their ws.


    She nced toward the stage. At some point, Yvonne had already whisked Ileana


    away.


    Scott had just picked up the microphone when Max strode up and took it from him. Max didn’t speak right away; instead, he offered the crowd a gentlemanly bow. With a faint, effortless smile, he exuded the poise of an old–world English gentleman.


    “My apologies. My younger brother can be a bit unruly–sorry for the disturbance. To make it up to you, I’ve prepared a few small gifts. I hope you’ll ept them on his behalf, and I’ll be sure to visit each of your families soon.”


    With just a few words, Max brought the room back under control. The guests responded in kind, and the tension that had gripped the party began to dissipate. Scott, watching from the sidelines, finally allowed himself a hint of a smile.


    As the two stepped off the stage and mingled, the conversation quickly shifted to Max’s early achievements and stories about his time abroad. The mood lightened, and, by the end of the evening, no one mentioned Ileana or even remembered the trouble York had caused.


    Once the guests had left and the party was over, Scott’s expression changed in an instant. He scanned the room, only to find Max had somehow disappeared.


    “Butler Dawson!”


    “Sir.” Butler Dawson hurried over, hands sped, posture respectful.


    “Where are Max and York?”


    “The eldest just left, sir. As for Master York… after he slipped out of the party, we haven’t been able to find him.”


    “Find him! And when you do, bring him to my study.”


    “Yes, sir.” Only after Scott/stormed off did Butler Dawson dare to straighten up. Wasting no time, he gathered the staff, assigned search areas, and headed to the security office to check the surveince cameras himself.


    With a loud bang, the door to the dressing room mmed shut, making Ileana jump. Yvonne stood by the window, expression unreadable, while Scott, looking weary, sank onto the sofa and rubbed his temples.


    242


    <b>14:43 </b>