I held my head high, icy disdain tinting my blue eyes as I fixed them on Josephine.
To me, she was nothing more than the daughter of an illegitimate son—a rat from the gutters, a parasite feeding off my life.
She and Alyssa, both leeching off my family's name, were nothing but insects fit for the trash.
"Funny," I said, letting a cold laugh slip. "It seems Uncle Owen was right. You really do need to learn some manners. You're an embarrassment to the Trisler name."
Josephine's expression darkened, venom filling her gaze. "And who are you to lecture me?" she sneered. "Just because you've caught the eye of some noblemen doesn't mean they see you as anything but a pretty little plaything. Don't get too comfortable."
She stepped closer, her voice low, her words dripping with malice. "Your
