From the shadows, a bodyguard stepped forward without hesitation and delivered a sharp, stinging slap across Jesse's face.
The triumphant wail of the horn mingled with the sound of the slap, a melody that seemed to hum with satisfaction.
I nodded at the bodyguard, approving.
"Well done. Go claim your reward."
"You bastard! How dare you have someone hit me?" Jesse yelled, clutching his burning cheek, eyes filled with raw resentment.
"Because," I said, my voice calm but firm, "this is my house. And you? You're just a plaything. You don't get a say in this, Jesse. Understand?"
"Cyrus, you've crossed the line!" Jesse shot back, his voice sharp. "Don't forget, this is the McGrath estate! One word from Rory, and this place will have a new boss in charge!"
I let out a slow, deliberate laugh that filled the room, bouncing off the walls. I clapped my hands, measured and heavy, letting everyone feel the rhythm, the tension, the weight of the moment.
Then I said, "Rory, have you forgotten how your so-called 'McGrath family' even came to be?"
When my parents passed away, I was just eighteen.
I was the only child, young, inexperienced, barely capable of handling such a massive empire.