Chapter 606
Chapter 606:
In the center of the chaos stood Victoria Hayes—Arthur’s daughter and Parker’s mother. She had arrived only an hour before Parker, claiming to have been kidnapped by Alistair and barely escaping with her life. It was a desperate lie to explain her fugitive status, but Arthur had granted her sanctuary within the estate’s sovereign walls. She barked orders at a florist who looked ready to faint.
“No! I said white lilies! Not cream! White!” Victoria screamed, throwing a flower onto the marble floor. Her voice was shrill, laced with the panic of a woman who knew the authorities were circling just outside the gates.
She turned and saw Parker descending the grand staircase. He looked pale, his arm in a sling from where Alistair had shattered his wrist in Port Valor.
“Stop shouting, Victoria,” Parker hissed. “You are giving me a headache p>
“You are useless,” Victoria shot back. “You let Alistair Thorne break you. You lost the Port Valor operation. And now you bring the enemy to our doorstep p>
“I brought the heir,” Parker said. He touched his earpiece. “My men are at the perimeter. If Skye tries anything, she dies p>
“And Liam?” Victoria asked, her voice dropping. “Is the rumor true? Is he really Preston’s p>
Parker stopped at the bottom of the stairs. He looked at his mother. His eyes were flat, devoid of any familial warmth.
“If Liam Kensington steps foot out of that room,” Parker said, “he will never leave. I will burn this house down before I let him take my inheritance. Arthur believes he is a fraud. We keep it that way p>
Night fell over Oakhaven like a heavy curtain. The winding road up to the Hayes castle was lined with lanterns. A parade of limousines snaked its way up the hill—local elite summoned by Arthur to witness the spectacle.
The Thorne convoy did not wait in line.
Felix drove the lead SUV onto the grass shoulder, bypassing the queue of cars. He pulled up right to the red carpet, ignoring the valet’s protests.
The door opened.
𝖭𝘰 𝗆i𝘀𝗌𝘪𝗻g 𝖼𝗁аp𝘵𝗲𝘳𝘴 о𝗇 𝗯𝗲.𝘤𝗈𝗆
Alistair stepped out first. He adjusted his cufflinks, scanning the crowd. Then he reached a hand back into the car.
Skye emerged.
The flashbulbs went off like a supernova. The violet dress caught the light, shimmering. The Ruby at her throat burned like a live coal. She stood tall, her chin lifted, her hand resting lightly on Alistair’s arm.
At the top of the stone steps, Victoria Hayes froze. She held a glass of champagne as she looked down at Skye.
Their eyes met.
Victoria sneered. She whispered something to the guard beside her.
Skye smiled. It wasn’t a nice smile. It was the smile of a predator who had just spotted a limping gazelle.
“Ready?” Alistair asked softly.
“Showtime,” Skye whispered.
They began to ascend the stairs. Every step was a declaration. They weren’t guests. They were invaders.
The ballroom was a cavern of gold leaf and crystal. A string quartet played something polite and boring in the corner, struggling to be heard over the hum of gossip. The elite of Oakhaven had no idea they were standing on a powder keg.