I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thank heavens, Lionel had finally said something resembling human speech. It was good that he liked opposing Rui Jones—if the brothers were united, I'd probably be left without a trace.
Rui Jones sneered, "Yes, you always oppose me, which is why you're so unlucky. Believe me, Father favors you now not because of you, but because he's seeking a new favorite to please him—and you're just the useless go-between!"
The smile on Lionel's lips vanished instantly. His fingers twitched at his sides, the veins on the back of his hands standing out in sharp relief. "I know exactly what Father wants. But what I dislike most is others evaluating my status and worth!"
He raised an eyebrow at Rui Jones, his lips curling again, but this time with a murderous edge. The air seemed to crackle with tension as his eyes flashed dangerously. The dim candlelight cast long shadows across his sharp features, making the cold glint in his gaze even more pronounced.
