Madam Fiona, clearly offended by Valessia's rejection, clenched her jaw tightly, resisting the overwhelming urge to slap the defiance from the young woman's face. Her fingers twitched at her side, but she forced a dry cough instead, masking her fury behind a veil of composed authority.
She began smoothly, "Seraphine has now become their target. They know you're too weak and your status far too low to fight back. But…" She paused deliberately, her eyes narrowing as she ensured Valessia's gaze didn't drift for even a second.
"But if she were to be under my care and my husband's, do you really think anyone would dare lay a hand on the granddaughter of a respected Elder and the owner of Silver Crest Construction?"
Her words slithered through the room like smoke, gentle, but laced with malicious intent. The manipulation was delicate, almost graceful. But Valessia wasn't blind to it.
