The first sapphire struck the marble hard enough to bounce.

Dinner was a masterclass in psychological warfare.

As the catering staff served the four-course meal, Vanessa spent forty-five minutes relentlessly picking at every detail of her brother's life, his business, and his son.

"I hear Vale Dynamics missed its third-quarter projection in the European market, Adrian," Vanessa said, slicing her filet mignon with aggressive precision. "The board is getting anxious. Uncle Richard told me at the club in Dallas that if you don't sell off the secondary logistics division, they might initiate a shareholder proxy vote."

Adrian took a slow sip of his mineral water, completely unfazed. "Uncle Richard holds two percent of non-voting shares, Vanessa. His opinion carries as much weight in my boardroom as your opinion carries in this house."

Vanessa’s knuckles went white around her silver fork.

"And where is Ethan tonight?" Vanessa asked, switching targets with fluid, predatory ease. "Locked in his room again? It’s not healthy, Adrian. The boy is six years old and he barely speaks three words. Everyone in the family is talking about it. They say he’s... deficient."

A sudden, suffocating silence descended upon the dining room.

From her position near the sideboard, Claire saw Adrian's hand freeze around his crystal glass. The muscles along his strong jaw flexed so hard Claire thought his teeth might shatter.

Before Adrian could speak, Claire stepped smoothly into the light of the chandelier.

"Ethan is currently in his study completing a second-grade mathematics workbook, Mrs. Arden," Claire said, her clear, ringing voice cutting through the tension. "His silence is not a deficiency. It is a selective filter. He simply chooses not to waste words on things that aren't useful."

Vanessa spun around in her dining chair, her face contorting with rage.

"Who gave you permission to speak?!" Vanessa shrieked, slamming her hand down on the table, making the silver silverware jump. "Adrian! Are you seriously allowing your staff to talk back to your family at your own dinner table?!"

"Claire is correct," Adrian said, his voice terrifyingly calm, though his gray eyes burned like white-hot iron. "Ethan is fine. And Claire’s presence in this room is at my explicit command."

Vanessa gasped, looking between her brother and Claire. A ugly, knowing smirk suddenly twisted her red lips.

"Ah," Vanessa sneered, leaning back in her chair, her sapphire bracelet flashing under the light. "I see. I get it now. It’s not about household administrative work at all, is it, Adrian? You brought a pretty little charity case into the house to keep your bed warm while you grieve your failed marriage."

Julian looked like he wanted to crawl under the table and die. "Vanessa, please..."

Claire felt a cold spark ignite in her chest, but she didn't lose her composure for a single second.

"Mrs. Arden," Claire said smoothly, taking two steps forward, holding her tablet in front of her like a shield. "I suggest you focus on your meal. Your blood alcohol level appears to be escalating rapidly, and as the administrator of this estate, I would hate to have to instruct the driving service to cancel your transport back to the hotel due to passenger intoxication."

Vanessa stood up so fast her chair tipped backward, crashing onto the hardwood floor with a deafening bang.

"You arrogant, pathetic little gold-digger!" Vanessa screamed, her finger pointing violently at Claire. "You think because you wear a nice dress and hold a tablet you belong in this house?! You are a servant! A nobody!"

"Vanessa," Adrian stood up. He didn't shout, but his voice carried the terrifying weight of an avalanche. "Get out of my house."

"This is our family home!" Vanessa yelled back, her eyes wild with rage. "You can't kick me out!"

"I bought out your share of this property four years ago," Adrian said, stepping around the long table, his tall frame looming over her like a shadow of death. "You own nothing here. Take your husband, take your bags, and get off my land before I have security throw you into the snow."

Vanessa stared at her brother, realizing she had pushed him past the edge of his restraint. She snatched her purse off the table, her breath coming in ragged, furious hitches.