He hesitated, brow furrowing. There was a flicker of uncertainty behind his confidence. He did not expect resistance from the one woman who had shaped his destiny since youth—the woman who had raised him, trusted him, and yet now stood firmly against his arrogance.
“Catherine, your pride will be your undoing,” he said, a shadow of frustration in his voice. “But… if it means keeping peace, I will tread carefully.”
I smirked. Peace was a temporary convenience, a tool to be wielded until the time came to act. Daniel had forgotten the lessons of the Harbor docks: loyalty could not be bought with fear or flattery. It had to be commanded with precision, respect, and decisiveness—qualities I had cultivated for twenty years.
I turned to Rachel, whose face paled under my gaze. “Remember, girl, ambition can be a dangerous weapon in inexperienced hands. You’ve used what little power you gained wisely, but overreach, and you will fall.”
Her lips quivered. “I… I understand, Miss Summers.” Her voice, though soft, trembled with fear and realization. She was beginning to understand that the Harbor docks, though seemingly under Daniel’s control, remained firmly under my guidance.