Jessica had always understood where she stood in Damien's world, valuable yet expendable, merely a pawn on his chessboard.
But hearing it spoken aloud still stung more than she anticipated.
She turned away, whispering fiercely, "You're a bastard."
Damien didn't flinch or deny it. "Andyou're an Armitage; act like one."
Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating as tension crackled in the air.
Finally, Jessica straightened up, forcing her mask back into place. "Fine. I'll play along."
Damien nodded with satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Good."
"But," she added sharply, voice cold as ice, "once this is over, I want Arthur Osborn shattered."
A slow smile crept across the mayor's face, a predatory grin that sent chills down herspine. "Oh, my dear. That was always the plan."
With determination fueling her steps, Jessica turned on her heel and strode toward the door.
Her mind raced with possibilities; if her father wanted war, then war was what he would get!
