"…Very well."
Vivienne blinked, clearly surprised by how quickly he agreed.
Even Damien raised a brow slightly.
Dominic wasn't the kind of man to easily change his mind.
But then—his father sighed, his fingers tightening slightly against the table.
"This engagement was your insistence, not mine," Dominic said finally. "Even when I had my doubts, you pushed for it. You convinced your mother to arrange it." His gaze hardened. "And when the Everwyn family's demands became excessive, I tolerated them—because you wanted this."
Damien held his father's stare, unflinching.
Yes.
He remembered.
The Everwyns had been greedy.
Even though their standing was far below the Elfords, they had used Celia's engagement as leverage to negotiate more benefits—business alliances, financial backing, even property agreements.
And the old Damien?
He had accepted it all.
