Hazel carried Serena through the massive front doors of the estate. The butler immediately stepped forward, silently taking the trench coat draped over her arm.
The grand foyer was quiet, but a loud, chaotic noise spilled out from the formal dining room at the end of the hall. It sounded like a television broadcast turned up entirely too loud.
Hazel rolled her aching shoulders, shifting Serena's weight to her left hip. The little girl rubbed her sleepy eyes, burying her face back into Hazel's neck.
As Hazel stepped into the doorway of the dining room, the source of the noise became clear.
An enormous eighty-five-inch television was mounted on the wall, dominating the space. It was tuned to NY1.
On the screen, a high-definition, slow-motion replay of Hazel standing on the City Clerk's steps filled the room. The camera zoomed in on the single tear tracking down her cheek as she shielded her daughter.
"The Wall Street's most beautiful shield," the news anchor announced, his voice booming through the surround-sound speakers. "A story of sacrifice and devotion that has captured the city's heart."
Sitting at the head of the long mahogany dining table, Sterling King held a crystal glass of red wine. His face was flushed with deep satisfaction. He nodded approvingly at the screen.
To his right, Ermina sat rigidly. Her knuckles were white as she gripped a silver fork, pressing the tines so hard into her porcelain plate that it threatened to shatter.
Sloane lounged in her chair across from Ermina, swirling her wine and laughing openly at the television, clearly enjoying Ermina's misery.
Karson was already in the room. He sat in a high-backed leather chair in the corner, holding a cup of black coffee. He stared at the floor, completely ignoring the broadcast.
Sterling caught movement in his peripheral vision. He turned, his eyes lighting up when he saw Hazel in the doorway.
He set his wine glass down with a heavy thud. "Come in, good child. Come sit."
The phrase "good child" hung in the air. In the brutal hierarchy of the King family, Sterling rarely used terms of endearment. It was a massive, public validation.
Hazel adjusted her expression, smoothing away her exhaustion. She walked toward the table, offering a polite, deferential smile. "Thank you, Mr. King."
Sterling pointed his cane at the television. "Because of your little performance this afternoon, King Group stock rallied in the late-day trading. Up three full percent before the bell. You handled those vultures better than my million-dollar PR firm."
The praise was a physical blow to Ermina. Her face turned a mottled, furious purple. She slammed her fork down. The silver clattered violently against the plate.
"It was pure luck," Ermina spat, her voice trembling with rage. "Crying for the cameras is cheap theater. It won't last."
Sloane took a sip of her wine. "It's a hell of a lot better than your strategy, Ermina. Throwing money at tabloids to delete articles only makes us look guilty."
Ermina shoved her chair back, standing up abruptly. "You insolent-"
Crack.
Sterling brought his heavy wooden cane down hard against the floorboards. The sharp noise cut through the room like a gunshot.
"Sit down, Ermina," Sterling growled, his voice dropping an octave. "Do not ruin my mood tonight."
Ermina froze. Her chest he heave, but she slowly lowered herself back into her chair, her eyes burning with humiliated fury.
From his corner, Karson watched Hazel. He saw the polite, humble smile on her face, but he knew exactly what she was. She was a monster who manipulated emotions for profit.
Suddenly, a loud, rumbling growl echoed from Hazel's side.
Serena gasped, her hands flying down to cover her stomach. She hid her face against Hazel's leg, deeply embarrassed.
Sterling let out a booming laugh. The tension in the room instantly evaporated. "The child is hungry. Brenda! Have the kitchen bring out the food, and prepare a child's nutritional plate."
Ermina watched Sterling dote on the child. A dark, venomous shadow passed over her eyes. She forced her facial muscles to relax, stretching her lips into a terrifyingly sweet smile.
"Of course," Ermina said smoothly. "And since you are officially family now, Hazel, I've had Brenda prepare a room for you. The most appropriate suite for your needs. Brenda can take you there now to settle in before dinner."
Hazel saw the malicious glint in Ermina's eyes. The trap was set.
She knew exactly what room Ermina was talking about.
Hazel didn't flinch. She smiled back, a perfectly polite mask. "Thank you, Ermina. That is very thoughtful."
She took Serena's hand and turned to follow the head maid, walking willingly into the darkness.
