The headline on the Manhattan Chronicle’s digital front page was a masterpiece of character assassination: "THE SCENT OF DECEPTION: Did Elara Vance Steal the Throne Jewels?"
The article, backed by "anonymous sources" within the Thorne legal team, claimed that Elara’s original formulas for ScentTech were actually stolen from a private lab owned by Silas Thorne. Worse, it hinted at a darker past—alleging that during her five years in hiding, Elara had been involved in "fringe medical testing" and had neglected her children to fund her business.
"It’s a Moral Turpitude hit," Lucian roared, pacing the length of his study. "Beatrice isn't just trying to embarrass you. She’s triggering the 'Character Clause' of the Council. If the Five Families believe you’re a thief and an unfit mother, they
