Chapter 20: Power play

Freshly arrived, Wyatt Lockwood stood at the far end of the table wearing a tailored dark grey suit and tie. His silver-streaked hair shone beneath the chandelier. His presence slashed across the air like a stealthy, determined blade. Tucker's fingers gently curved on the rear of her chair. Eyes riveted on Scarlet, Wyatt moved cautiously toward them.

"I wasn't told we would have such wonderful company tonight." Scarlet remained silent. Her lips tight, her spine straightened. "Father," Tucker murmured, teeth already sharp. Wyatt nodded gently. Still highly formal, son. With hands clasped neatly, he followed them and settled onto the head of the table seat. Magnolia arrived soon after, her eyes darting momentarily toward Scar then toward her husband. Choosing a seat further down, she avoided sitting next to him. Gabrielle trailed behind. Draped in emerald satin, her lips curved in delight. She settled across from Scarlet with the haughtiness of someone observing a drama she had written. Dinner started in stillness. The crew worked quickly, pouring wine, putting starters lobster soup, seared scallops, all items that tasted pricey and brought little comfort. Scarlet raised her glass, drank, then said nothing. Wyatt's eyes on her felt to her like a spotlight. Once more probing, dissecting, waiting, he was scrutinizing her. "You've matured into your role," Wyatt replied at last, voice calm.

The public seems to like you. Scarlet grinned gently. "Appearances are everything, Mr. Lockwood." His gaze shone. Indeed. Still, appearances are hardly the truth, are they? She didn't reply. Gabrielle came next, her voice clear and sugar-coated. "Uncle Wyatt, did you find the headlines this morning interesting? Stories on Scar abound in the media. Her mannerisms and handling of pressure reflect this. Thus, quite wonderful. "Isn't it?," asked Wyatt sighed.

Taking her past into account. The fingers of scarlet stopped on her fork. Eyes still fixed on hers, Wyatt said, "Tell me, did your father ever recover from that sad business collapse? Once more, land fraud was what it was. Oversaw investments that were poorly managed. Tucker remained still. didn't talk. Scarlet moved her head slowly toward Wyatt, her voice calm but filled with iron. "My father was an ethical man. Something tough to gauge from bank data. Wyatt laughed and slanted back in his chair. "Integrity is costly, dear. Usually, most individuals cannot afford it. Gabrielle let out a small chuckle. Scarlet put down her fork. Magnolia said nothing; her eyes turned down. Tucker had not looked at her either. She could feel the wrath rising under her flesh.

"Exactly what are you implying, Mr. Lockwood?" she asked. Wyatt leaned his head. "I am not implying anything, sweetheart. I only have questions. People just like you sometimes have layers. Riddles. especially even skeletons. " I have nothing to conceal." Sipping his wine, he remarked, "Don't we all?" "Even the cleanest looks often come with shadows.” Her throat became constricted. Five years ago, the same hand that had created that menacing letter was now grinning at her across candelabras. She glanced at Tucker. Nothing yet. Zero defense. No pause. Simple chilly observation. Her fists drew tightly under the table. "So tell me, Scarlett," Wyatt replied nonchalantly, "what does it feel like? Dressed in silk and diamonds, seated at this table knowing how far you have come from—well, whatever it was you started? Scarlet turned to face him straight. "I don't evaluate myself against where I started.

Just by the extent I am ready to travel. Wyatt's eyes fluttered with a short glimmer of something deeper. He was not expecting her to rebel. "Spoken like someone still ascending," he added gently. But watch carefully. You land harder the higher you climb. "Only if someone chops the ladder," she said. Wyatt gracedfully grinned. And who would engage in that? Scarlet leaned forward just slightly. " Someone terrified of being replaced." The table became silent. The lips of Gabrielle trembled. Finally, Tucker moved. Move his glass down. "Enough." Wyatt lifted a brow. "Touchy, are we not?" Tucker spoke at a low volume. Firm. "This supper should have been a formality. Let us thus keep it that way. Scarlet turned to face him. Now he stands up for me? But that was far too little. too late. She once more grabbed her wineglass. grabbed another sip. Wyatt spoke once more after that. Quieter now but obvious, he whispered, "People like you always have secrets." Scarce stopped. Wyatt nodded slightly. "I find out what yours is." She choked almost on the wine.

The glass slid slightly in her palm and caught on the fabric of her gown. One red splatter dropped on the tablecloth. Her heart thung like a battle drum against her ribs. His comments sounded to her like a warning bell. She found it difficult to breathe. Know what he knew? What more did he know? Was that a threat or a bluster? Gabrielle's smile grew just slightly across the table, the way a predator savors seeing the first twitch of panic in its victim. Scarlet lay her drink down. Then she stood from the table slowly, deliberately. She said, "Excuse me," voice firm despite the turmoil in her chest.

Tucker climbed with her. But she was already going away, breath shallow, fingertips shaking across the marble. She was walking heels clicking. Whatever Wyatt knew she had to learn before he used it. She also sensed he lacked completion. Behind her, laughter started once more. Forks sloppily. Glasses jumbled. Scarlet missed all of it, though. She listened to his voice and just heard the threat. She was still hiding secrets as well. The one nobody else could ever know.