Maddox stayed quiet for a long moment. He watched me with those bright golden eyes. The harsh, arrogant posture he used in the boardroom was gone. In its place was a quiet presence that did not push or demand.
“My mother is a good woman,” he said softly. “She lost my father when I was eight years old. The High Council tried to take our family assets back then, the same way they tried to take your studio today. She fought them alone for years until I was old enough to take the board seat. She knows what it looks like when someone is fighting for their life.”
I looked at him, surprised by the honesty in his voice. “She said I bring light into this house.”
“She is right,” Maddox said. His tone was flat and plain, without any sarcasm. “This house has been quiet since my father died. Ryan lo
