Chapter 4. The Cost Of Obedience

In the main house, Gerard poured himself a drink and stared out the tall windows of the study. The garden below was still wet from last night’s storm. The accident was already being spun. He had spoken to three reporters and paid off two witnesses. The story was being cleaned. Managed. Controlled.

That was how power worked.

Cassian entered without knocking. His jaw was tight. His eyes hard.

“You had no right,” he said.

Gerard didn’t turn. “You want to raise your voice to me, boy?”

“He didn’t do anything.”

Gerard sipped his drink. “And he agreed to the lie.”

“Because you cornered him. You threatened him. You didn’t give him a choice.”

Gerard finally turned. “This family doesn’t survive on feelings, Cassian. It survives on power, loyalty, and strategy. You think I enjoy this? I am protecting what I built.”

“You’re using your own son as a shield.”

“He is nothing to this world. You are everything. That’s the difference.”