Evening settled softly over Hawthorne Manor.
Inside, the dining room glowed with warm light—nothing excessive, nothing cold. A long polished table stretched through the center, set with quiet precision. Crystal glasses caught the light, silverware aligned perfectly, and the scent of freshly prepared food lingered in the air.
It was elegant.
But not intimidating.
Just… intentional.
Elias stood at the head of the table when they entered.
He had changed into a simple but well-tailored shirt, sleeves rolled slightly, his presence as composed as ever. There was no stiffness to him—no need to assert control.
He simply had it.
Rowan walked in first.
“Okay, I missed this.”
Elias smiled faintly.
“I assumed you might.”
Adrian entered next, already settled back into his usual calm, compos
