Chapter 66

Serena's POV

I held the phone tightly, my knuckles white against the black case. Lawrence's voice trembled with rage on the other end, each word dripping with accusation.

"You're going to regret this, Serena. Pressing charges against your own grandmother for intentional harm? Have you lost your mind?"

A cold smile tugged at my lips. "Oh? Didn't she tell you? According to her, I'm not part of the Sinclair family anymore."

"She was upset! People say things they don't mean when they're angry." His voice took on that familiar patronizing tone that made my stomach turn.

"Really?" I kept my voice level, though my free hand clenched into a fist. "So I guess I'm just upset too. Isn't that convenient?"

"That's enough!" Lawrence's voice rose sharply. "I'm still your father, and you will show some respect-"

"Respect?" The word tasted bitter. "So being an elder gives you the right to be cruel?"

I could practically see him pacing in his office, the way he always did when he lost control of a situation. "You're not listening to reason, Serena. If you pursue this-"

"You're right. I'm not listening anymore." My voice came out tired more than angry. In my mind, I could see all the times he'd taken her side, all the times he'd never asked for my version of events, never tried to understand.

"Then you'll face the consequences." His tone shifted to something harder, more threatening. "I promise you'll regret-"

The phone slipped from my grasp, but instead of falling, it was caught by a strong hand. I looked up to find Lucas standing beside me, his grey eyes dark with controlled anger as he brought the phone to his ear.

"Mr. Sinclair." His voice was deceptively calm, almost pleasant. "Why don't we discuss exactly what consequences you have in mind? And while we're at it, we can talk about whether you really think you can make charges stick against your mother, especially with my support behind Serena."

The silence on the other end was deafening. When Lawrence spoke again, his tone had undergone a remarkable transformation. "Lucas! I... this is just a family disagreement. You understand how these things can get heated-"

"I understand perfectly." Lucas's free hand found mine, his thumb brushing soothingly across my knuckles. "I'm on Serena's side. Whatever she wants, she'll have my full support. I trust that's clear enough?"

"Of... of course." Lawrence's voice had gone silky smooth, the voice he used for business deals. "Serena is lucky to have someone like you. You should both come for dinner soon. As a family."

Lucas's only response was to end the call. He set the phone down and turned to me, his expression softening. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, suddenly exhausted. "You didn't have to do that," I said quietly.

"No," he agreed, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "But I wanted to. And I meant every word."

Nina's POV

I watched Father's face darken as he ended the call, his knuckles white around the phone. The living room felt suffocating, thick with tension and unspoken anger.

"She's completely out of control," he muttered, pacing between the leather armchair and the window. Each step echoed his growing rage. "And now she has Lucas Harrington backing her."

I let my lower lip tremble, carefully timing the catch in my voice. "Did... did you manage to talk some sense into her, Dad?"

His glare whipped toward me, making me shrink back instinctively. Not entirely an act - Father's anger had always been frightening, even when it wasn't directed at me. "And you! What exactly have you accomplished? We had a plan, Nina. You were supposed to get close to Lucas."

"I'm trying!" I pressed my hands against my eyes, letting tears slip between my fingers. Inside, I seethed at the mention of my sister's latest triumph. Of course Serena would have Lucas Harrington defending her. She always got everything handed to her. "But she's always there, always hovering around him. I can barely get within ten feet of him without her appearing!"

"Excuses!" Father's voice rose sharply. "That's all I ever hear from you. Your sister manages to secure the most eligible bachelor in Manhattan while you can't even-"

"Lawrence." Mother's calm voice cut through his tirade like silk over steel. She placed a gentle hand on his arm, her designer bracelet catching the light. "We need to focus on what's important right now. Your mother could face serious charges."

I recognized my cue, drawing a shaky breath. "I'll do anything to help Grandmother. I'll even get on my knees and beg Serena for forgiveness if that's what it takes."

"Serena won't forgive Grandmother even if you beg her," Father said with grim certainty, his fingers drumming against his desk. "She'll just use it to humiliate you."

Mother shot me an approving glance so quick I almost missed it. "It's not Nina's fault things have gotten so complicated. If Serena hadn't been so easily manipulated by Ian Whitmore in the first place..."

I watched Father's expression shift as Mother worked her magic. She had always known exactly which strings to pull.

"That worthless Whitmore boy," Father spat. "And now she's trying to destroy this family's reputation with these ridiculous charges."

"Perhaps," Mother suggested softly, "if we focus on damage control for now... Nina can take some time to develop a new strategy with Lucas."

I dabbed at my eyes with a tissue, making sure Father caught my expression of desperate determination. "I won't let you down again, Daddy. I promise."

"Fine." He ran a hand through his hair, tension still radiating from his shoulders. "But first, we need to handle this situation with your grandmother. She'll have to apologize to Serena."

"Will Grandmother agree to that?" I asked softly, though I already knew the answer.

"She'll have to agree." Father's voice was hard with suppressed rage. "Otherwise, her only other option is prison!"