Page 212 of The Silent Note

I speak to dad’s henchman without looking at him. “You planned something.”

Lucien says nothing, but I already see through him.

“DadwantedMicheals to bring up my marriage during the debate.” I inhale shakily. “Why?”

“It was bound to come out anyway but, this way, we control the narrative.”

Power.

Control.

The two go hand in hand and dad is a master manipulator that can wield both.

It’s terrifying.

“That’s why he allowed me to campaign with him, isn’t it?” I deduce the truth, my voice falling to a quiet hush.

“Not theonlyreason. Dutch and Finn don’t have your magnetic personality. They don’t know how to smile warmly, how to be charismatic, how to be likable. If they showed up, scowling and angry, in your dad’s press pictures, he’d lose in the polls.”

My lips curl up darkly.Well played, dad. Well played.

“And here I thought this was a win-win, and dad wouldn’t need his usual schemes.”

“Did you really think he accepted you just because of the list?” Lucien studies me with a bemused smirk like I’m a toddler showing off my artwork.

“That list is what dad built his campaign on. He cleaned out dirty politicians and shady leaders for everyone to see. The people think he’s some kind of political vigilante. Igavehim that power.”

Lucien snorts.

My temper spikes. “I hit the campaign trail with him, traveled all over the country to smile on command. If he’s exposing my marriage to Grey, I should at least get a consult.”

“Did you ask him before you married your step-sister and complicated everything?”

I turn fully to Lucien. It’s no surprise that he would treat me like an idiot. After all… dad does.

Thankfully, Lucien’s opinion means about as much as the last dump I took. I have never andwillnever give a damn about what anyone else thinks.

“The file in your hand… that’s confirmation that Micheals really did all those things.”

Lucien’s eyes widen.

I keep talking. “Of course, it won’t reveal anything specifically about The Grateful Project. No,no.” I smile, acting like it’s a big joke. “Because the yakuza would never give you ammo to use against them. What you have is something just as damning but completely outside of Redwood Prep. A prostitute scandal? Maybe a domestic violence accusation?” I place a hand over my mouth to cover an exaggerated gasp. “Maybe both?”

For the first time, Lucien loses his cool. His gaze sharpens on me. “How did you…?”

“Sorry to break it to you, Lucy, but thereisa brain behind this gorgeous face of mine.” I wink at him, unleashing my signature smirk. “I will admit, you’re nottoofar off about me. I can be lazy as hell, but I amvery motivatedwhen it comes to women. One woman in particular, as you and dad know since you did everything possible to keep me from touching her.” I laugh. “But look at me, defiling my teacher, marrying my step-sister and ruining your sneaky little plans anyway.”

Dad’s looking into the wings now, waiting for Lucien to give the nod of confirmation. Unfortunately, I’m the one who wiggles my fingers at him instead.

“Oh,” I mock Lucien in the same, adult-talking-to-a-toddler tone that he used on me, “did you really think I’d let dad control the narrative when it involves someone as important as my wife?”

Lucien barks at me. “Who did you send the list to before you handed it over to us?”

I smile. “Who do you think?”

A buzz suddenly erupts from the crowd. It starts from the front row of the auditorium and sweeps to the back. The television crew dig into their phone pockets to look.

On stage, dad and Micheals are doing their best not to let confusion show on their faces. However, they’re both staring at their respective aides, trying to get a read on what’s happening.