Chapter 2

The shouting downstairs woke me the next morning.

I took my time dressing. By the time I descended the staircase, the great hall was packed. Every elder on the family council had assembled, and not a single face in that room carried anything but fury.

At the center of the storm stood Uncle James—George's late father's closest friend and the most powerful voice on the council. He was currently unloading every ounce of his rage onto Dr. Cohen, the family physician.

"Incompetence! Absolute, staggering incompetence!"

"The Don was drugged inside his own estate, and not one of you noticed for an entire night?"

Dr. Cohen's forehead glistened with sweat. "Mr. James, I examined him myself. He told us he was merely tired and dismissed the entire staff. We didn’t expect—"

"It's too late for that!" James's beard was practically vibrating. "Where is he now?"

Leah chose that exact moment to appear at the top of the stairs.

She'd changed into a pristine white dress, her hair brushed smooth. The tears had been wiped away, but there was no hiding the flush beneath her skin—or the faint, unmistakable marks scattered across her throat, barely hidden by the high collar she'd chosen.

She approached James with the fragile grace of a wounded dove. "James, George is… he's resting. He's exhausted."

Every pair of eyes in the room locked onto her neck.

The men in that room hadn't climbed to their positions by being slow. Understanding rippled through the hall in a matter of seconds.

James's expression shifted—fury giving way to something far more complicated. He waved a hand, dismissing the doctor and staff, then looked from Leah to me and back again.

"Leah. Tell me what happened."

She bit her lip. The tears arrived right on schedule. "Last night… Lily called me. She said George was in trouble."

"When I got here, he was already… he wasn't in his right mind. He grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go. I couldn't… I didn't have a choice…"

The performance was immaculate. The perfect portrait of violated innocence.

I watched from the side with cool detachment.

In my past life, I'd done exactly the same thing—stood before these men, tears streaming, hoping to earn their pity. I hadn't understood: to men who worship power, a woman's tears are worth exactly nothing.

James, of course, offered her zero comfort. He turned to me instead. "Lily. You're the one who discovered the situation?"

"Yes."

"Then why call your sister? Why not handle it yourself?" His tone was probing, carrying an edge of censure.

I met his eyes without flinching. "Because I'm aware of where George's heart truly lies. In the state he was in, only the person he actually wanted could bring him any relief. I didn't want him waking up to the guilt of having taken a woman he doesn't love."

It came out flawless. Noble.

James studied me for a long beat, trying to read what was behind those words.

Leah, meanwhile, was staring at me like I'd grown a second head. In her mind, I was the pathetic, obsessive sister who'd spent years throwing herself at a man who never looked twice at her. She couldn't figure out why I'd just handed her the prize on a platter.

I ignored her and pressed forward. "James, the immediate priority isn't assigning blame. It's George's health—and the family's reputation. If word of this leaks, the rival families won't just laugh at us. They'll see weakness. And they'll exploit it."

James's face went dark. I'd struck exactly the right nerve.

He was silent for a long moment. Then he turned to Leah. "Leah. Will you marry George?"

Her head snapped up. For one unguarded heartbeat, pure exhilaration blazed in her eyes. Then she smothered it under a fresh wave of tragic tears.

"I… I'm willing. But will George—will he agree?"

"He doesn't need to agree." James's voice was iron. "The White family requires a Donna and a legitimate heir. The matter is already settled."

Then he turned to me. "Lily, you handled this well. You kept disgrace from this family's doorstep. Effective immediately, you will oversee the estate's internal affairs."

A consolation prize. Hush money, basically.

In my past life, my reward was a loveless wedding ring.

In this life, I'd just been handed the keys to the entire White estate.

I inclined my head. "Of course."

Leah's eyes met mine, brimming with a victor's triumph—and a flicker of bewilderment she couldn't quite hide.

I answered her with a gentle smile.

Take your victory lap, little sister.

The game you think you just won hasn't even started yet.