Chapter 337. Whispering Is All They Know How to Do

The echo of yesterday’s clash still vibrated through the palace.

It didn’t matter that the tables had been scrubbed, that Coral had reorganized the entire schedule in a desperate attempt to restore normalcy. Everyone still felt it: Adam storming back early, Brad too close, the near-explosion in the gallery. Nobles loved nothing more than a spectacle, and Ann had handed them one on a silver platter.

Today had to be different. Today had to be a show of total control.

Ann sat straighter than her ribs liked as she entered the council chamber. Her crown wasn’t heavy, but the stares were. Nobles lined the benches with hungry eyes, waiting for cracks to show in the face that they were presenting to them.

Adam stood at her right, his dark aura radiating just enough that Lady Maren’s pearls twitched against her throat. Brad stood farther back, silent and with his arms folded in front of him. Still there. Still watching. Still a problem.

The whispers started inst