Marcus stormed out of the private Blackwood Family lounge, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. More than twenty fucking minutes. Twenty minutes wasted on pointless pleasantries and political bullshit while Sophia was waiting for him.
He ran a hand through his hair, breathing heavily as he moved through the corridor with long, angry strides.
"Nothing," he muttered under his breath. "Absolutely nothing happened in there. It's not like I haven't met Catherine Blackwood and Victoria Blackwood before. What the hell was the point of all that?"
His father's sharp, watchful eyes had followed him the entire time... every time Marcus tried to make an excuse to slip away, Edward had given him that stern, knowing look that pinned him in place.
"Damn it, Father…" Marcus cursed under his breath, fists clenched at his sides. "Always watching. Always controlling."
His heart was pounding with a messy mix of frustration, eagerness, and a growing thread of fear.
