Gathered at the long dining table, Adrian sat among the Vermillion family, sharing a quiet lunch.
Ruby was seated at his side, while across from them sat Fiona and Damien.
Until now, Adrian had felt nothing but welcome here.
Damien was the quiet type, speaking little, but Adrian could sense that his silence wasn't coldness—just his nature. He didn't seem the least bit troubled by Adrian's presence.
Fiona, on the other hand, was warm and talkative, a woman whose charm filled whatever silence her husband left. Looking at the two of them, Adrian realized Damien must have taken after his father, the man of the house, who also preferred to remain mostly reserved.
Between sips of her drink, Fiona tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Do you really not plan on succeeding your father? You'd make a fine leader—I can tell."
