"The elite class eats upstarts alive before the night is over," Councilor Sterling whispered, his golden eyes burning with malice.
The old man turned on his heel and dissolved into the dispersing crowd of aristocrats, leaving his poisonous threat hanging heavy in the ambient warmth of the High Council Chamber. Gerald did not flinch, his jaw remaining set like iron as he watched Sterling walk away. Beside him, Laura let out a slow, controlled breath, her fingers tightening slightly around her silk clutch.
"He means every word of it," Laura said quietly, her eyes following the high councilor as the bronze chamber doors closed behind him. "They will not fight you on the trading floor tonight. They will try to corner us in the social arenas where reputation is as lethal as a blade."
"Re
