Ravenna's POV
"Hello, Kieran. Haven't seen you since your so-called venture went down the drain," Lucien said coldly.
His face fell instantly. "It will come back bigger than ever," he insisted, desperation leaking through. "I just need some funds."
"Hm. And when don't you need funds?"
Kieran turned his attention to me, raking his eyes over me with slow, deliberate cruelty. "A doctor, wasn't it? Or was it something lower before that? I recall something about an abandoned daughter. Quite a match for you, cousin. At least your origins align."
Laughter rippled all around us, each note scraping across my nerves. Hot shame burned my skin, but I lifted my chin and refused to bow.
"I'd rather be a doctor who saves lives," I said, voice clear and steady, "than a parasite who fee
