The realization hit her like a slap.
She had no winning move left.
Grinding her teeth, Claire could only swallow her anger and force herself to remain silent. Every word she wanted to say died in her throat, while resentment burned fiercely in her chest. Addison had completely turned the tables, shutting down her greatest leverage and refusing to let Claire take another step forward with ease.
The guests' gazes shifted between the two women. At first they looked puzzled, but as the pieces slowly fell into place, realization dawned across their faces. The atmosphere around the banquet table subtly changed.
Like the Eastern Alphas, they leaned back in silence, their eyes darting between Claire and Addison with barely concealed curiosity, as though they had suddenly found themselves watching the opening act of an entertaining spectacle.
