Chapter 253 Calder Hudson Savannah When Reginald pushed his chair back and stood, I was ready for the axe to fall. I felt it in my bones—that familiar tightening in my chest that came whenever power decided to remind you exactly where you stood beneath it. I expected him to announce that my decision was irrelevant, that my stubborn defiance had merely entertained him, that my time here was over. I expected a dismissal. Punishment. Retaliation. Instead, he simply stood. Very slowly. The scrape of wood against marble echoed far louder than it should have in the vast dining hall. Every movement he made felt calculated, choreographed, as though he knew every pair of eyes—mine included—was trained on him. And he loved it. He reached for his cane and Cassandra rose beside him at once, smooth and silent, like she’d rehearsed it a thousand times. And I noticed, unlike the first time I met her. She rarely spoke. She'd never said a word all night. Then Reginald spoke, dragging me out of my thoughts. “Good choice, Miss Hart. I wish you all the best.” That was all. No venom. No challenge. No hint of the storm I’d braced myself for. Just that. For a moment, I wondered if I’d misheard him. He didn’t look at me as he said it. Didn’t wait to see my reaction. Didn’t grant me the satisfaction of acknowledgement. He merely turned and began to walk away, his cane tapping lightly against the floor. Tap. Tap. Tap. Each step almost felt like a countdown. “You see that young, hot-looking guy over there?” Riley whispered suddenly, nudging my arm. I blinked, startled out of my thoughts. She gestured discreetly toward the guard who’d been standing behind Reginald’s seat earlier. I followed her gaze just in time to see the man stride after Reginald, posture straight, movements controlled, eyes forward.“Yes,” I murmured. “That,” Riley said, “is exactly why River couldn’t stop staring at the door.” I turned so quickly the room tilted. “Are they…” I hesitated, searching for the right word. “Together?” Riley scoffed softly. “Please. No.” She glanced toward the door again, as if hoping the man might turn around so she can get a glimpse of his face again. “That is Calder Hudson,” she said. “Chief Protective Officer to General Reginald Blackwood.” She smiled faintly, almost fondly. “And River’s been crazy in love with him forever.” I frowned. “Does he know?” Riley burst out laughing. “Of course not. That man has the emotional intelligence of a brick wall. River’s been making heart-eyes at him since before I can remember, and he’s never noticed. Not once.” I studied River again. “And she still likes him?” I asked quietly. Riley shrugged. “You can’t blame her. He’s hot. Like—criminally hot. You should see him working out or riding a horse. Full-on erotic cinema.” She fanned herself dramatically. I wrinkled my nose. “Doesn’t matter how hot he is. If I’d had feelings for someone for years and they never noticed or barely acknowledged me, those feelings would die quicker than they bloomed.” Riley snorted. “Yeah, right.” But Reginald wasn't completely out of the room yet. He'd only gone a few feet when he stopped. My spine stiffened. And I'm sure Riley’s did too. Did he perhaps… hear us? He turned. But this time toward Reese. “Zachary,” he said calmly, his voice carrying effortlessly across the table. “I’d like to see you in my office tomorrow after breakfast. Don’t be late.” Reese didn’t hesitate. “Yes, Father.” Reginald’s gaze drifted over the rest of his children then, slow and assessing, like a general surveying troops. “Dinner was lovely, as always,” he continued mildly. “But someone should inform Grace that if it requires as much force as ploughing a field simply to bite into my steak, then the stables will be gaining a new occupant.”Alex snorted, unable to stop himself. Reginald didn’t acknowledge it. “Good night,” he said. And then he was gone. How cruel. The door closed behind him with a quiet finality that somehow felt louder than a slam. I stood there long after he disappeared, staring at the space he’d occupied, my pulse roaring in my ears. Something about the way he’d left—so calm, so assured—unnerved me far more than if he’d shouted or threatened. That wasn’t surrender. That was strategy. I looked towards the right. River sat rigid in her chair, eyes locked on the now-closed door, her expression open in a way that felt too intimate to witness. Longing. Ache. Something unsaid and heavy. Before I could ask Riley if Reginald was aware, Rosalie’s voice cut through the table like a blade. “Hey, Ry!” Every head turned.“Next time you think of doing something stupid,” Rosalie said coolly, “maybe consider what it’ll cost you. And whether it’s worth it.” Her gaze flicked pointedly to me. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” “I didn’t ask for your advice,” Riley snapped, folding her arms tightly across her chest. “You're so annoying.” Rosalie lifted her hands. “Just being a good sister. I'm looking out for you.” “Didn't ask you to.” Riley muttered. Alex inhaled loudly, theatrically. Almost everyone turned to him. “Hmmm,” he said, sniffing the air. “Sure smells like a bitch in here.” Then he slapped his forehead. “Oh wait—never mind. It’s just you, Rosie.” Rosalie raised both middle fingers without hesitation. “Fuck you, Alex.” He tapped his chin, grinning. “Technically, that’d still be considered incest.” Ramsey laughed beside me, unrestrained and boyish. Rosalie rolled her eyes and stood. “Nothing is surprising around here,” she muttered. “I’m out.”Alex smiled brightly. “Good night, Rosie. Sweet dreams, sis!” She walked away with her middle finger in the air. “I hope you choke on that wine!” She yelled. He threw his head back and laughed. Reese chuckled. “Good night, ma’am,” Ramsey added, checking his watch. “It’s fourteen minutes past my bedtime.” I smiled at him. “Good night, Ramsey.” He beamed and left. Ryan stood next. “I’ll take my leave now. Charlotte’s waiting for me at home.” “Charlotte’s the wife, right?” I asked Riley, my eyes following him as he moved away. She didn’t answer. So I forced myself to look at her. Riley was staring at her phone. Her face had gone pale, her eyes wide and unblinking, fingers frozen mid-scroll as if whatever she was seeing had struck her dumb. I reached out and touched her hand. And she jumped violently.“Riley.” “Huh?” she said, blinking rapidly, like she’d been pulled back from somewhere far away. “Is everything okay?” She nodded too quickly, stood abruptly, and grabbed her headphone. “Yes. Everything’s fine. I just need sleep. I’m tired.” It was a lie. She wasn’t tired. Whatever she’d just seen on that screen had stolen the words right out of her mouth. But I didn’t push. I let her go. I’d already clearly dragged her into enough problems. Once she disappeared, the weight of exhaustion settled over me too. Reese and Alex leaned close together, speaking in low voices like the latter hadn't been angry at the former a few minutes ago. River sat beside them, silent now, hands folded in her lap, just listening and smiling. I didn’t want to intrude. Quietly, I stood and slipped away, intending to leave unnoticed. If I got lost, I’d ask a guard or a maid.The corridor outside the dining hall was dimmer, the lighting softer, shadows stretching long across the walls. My footsteps echoed faintly as I walked, the manor suddenly too quiet. I reached the end of the hallway and turned. And that was when a strong, large hand wrapped around my throat. My back was slammed into the wall with bone-jarring force. Air tore from my lungs as panic exploded through me, white-hot and immediate. Fingers tightened, cutting off breath, cutting off sound. I clawed at the hands, nails scraping uselessly against skin and fabric. The world narrowed, my vision blurring at the edges. I tried to scream. Nothing came out. The manor swallowed the sound whole. And in that moment, I understood something sinister. This manor wasn’t done with me yet…