The shrill sound of Damien’s phone pierced through the heavy silence in the dining hall. Everyone flinched—except Alec. His eyes darkened the moment he saw the name flashing on the screen: Salena.
A muscle ticked in Alec’s jaw. Without a word, he shot Damien a deadly glare that could cut steel. Damien, understanding that look all too well, swallowed hard and immediately silenced the call.
But just seconds later, the phone buzzed again. Salena was calling again.
This time, Alec didn’t wait. He snatched the phone from Damien’s grip and answered the call without a word. He didn’t speak—just listened.
“Damien,” Salena’s urgent voice poured through the speaker, unaware of who was actually on the other end. “Don’t let Alec step out of the mansion. Don’t let him touch the TV or check his phon
