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“Now tell us. What is it, Lachlan?” Killian demanded, his voice sharp with urgency. His mind was still reeling.

Lachlan looked at Killian and Edward, his expression serious. His words, when they came, were heavy with the weight of the news he bore.

“I’ve uncovered something,” Lachlan began, his voice tight. “Something important.” He looked between the two men, his eyes filled with annoyance and urgency.

“I have found evidence that links Hilfern to the rumors.”

“What rumors?” Edward asked, his brow furrowing. He glanced at Killian, who remained silent, his face unreadable.

“The rumors involving you and my sister,” Killian spoke, his voice cold and distant. He did not look at Edward as he spoke, his gaze fixed on Lachlan, waiting for further explanation.

Edward stiffened at the mention of the rumors. His throat tightened and he swallowed hard, the reality of the situation settling heavily in the room. He said nothing, choosing to remain silent as Lachlan continued.

“I know ye told me to stop looking into it,” Lachlan said, his voice filled with regret. “But I couldn’t stop because I was so close to the truth.” He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. “It’s Hilfern. He’s the one behind it all.”

Killian’s heart dropped at the revelation, his blood running cold.

“How did ye come about that conclusion?” he asked, his fists clenched tight on his thighs, his eyes never leaving Lachlan.

“I began to follow him ever since you told me of his behavior towards ye and yer family,” Lachlan said, and it made perfect sense.

Killian had vaguely mentioned to Lachlan during one of their meetings, before he had decided to put a pause on the situation, that Lord Hilfern was particularly hostile toward the entire family, including Edward’s.

Edward, who had been silent, nodded, but still said nothing.

“Hilfern has been seen near the Oakbourne townhouse. The past couple of days, he’s been skulking around the place, for whatever reason. When I made the connection, I hurried here to tell you.”

Killian’s anger flared as he remembered the time he had seen a shadowy figure outside his window, watching from a distance. He had dismissed it as nothing more than a figment of his imagination. But now, everything had changed.

If Hilfern had been seen around Oakbourne townhouse, it meant he was planning something, and Killian needed to get to the bottom of it.

Without waiting for another word, Killian shot up from his seat, his fists clenched with determination.

“I need to leave, now,” he growled, his voice low and filled with urgency.

Edward, still processing the information, nodded quickly.

“We shall come with you.”

The three men rushed out of the gentlemen’s club, the weight of the discovery heavy on their shoulders. They moved quickly, with purpose, but Killian’s mind was already on another matter, a much more immediate danger. His wife. Yvette. And Maisie, his daughter.

As they raced through the streets toward home, Killian couldn’t shake the image of his family, alone and helpless. His chest tightened with fear, and every second that passed felt like an eternity.

“Lord Hilfern?” Yvette’s voice trembled with disbelief and rage as she stared into the room.

The smoke swirling in the air stung her eyes, but the sight before her was far more chilling. Hilfern stood there, his expression a twisted blend of bitterness and audacity, as if he belonged there.

“What are you doing in my little girl’s room?” Yvette screamed, her voice rising with urgency and maternal protectiveness.

She stormed into the room, paying no mind to the fact that Hilfern might be armed or dangerous.

Hilfern chuckled darkly, his cold, calculating eyes fixed on her.

“Your little girl? Oh, how delusional you’ve become, Duchess.”

Yvette froze for a moment, her chest heaving as she processed his words.

“What are you talking about?”