Chapter 46

Chapter 46
Sebastian's POV

Pushing open the heavy oak doors, I stepped into the grand hall where the atmosphere hit me like a physical wall.

My grandfather sat rigid in his mahogany armchair, leaning on his cane. His face was ashen with fury, eyes like daggers aimed directly at me.

My father stood nearby, brow furrowed, occasionally shaking his head and sighing dramatically—his specialty. Karen sat in the corner, head bowed, silent as always when conflict arose.

Grandfather slammed his hand against the armrest, the crack echoing through the hall.

"Sebastian, you've done it now!" His voice was low and dangerous. "The Bronx relocation scandal is all over the fucking news! The King name is being dragged through mud by every two-bit journalist in the city! How could you be stupid enough to let the compensation issue go public?"

I stood in the center of the hall, hands in my pockets, face deliberately blank. Let him vent.

Seeing my silence, Grandfather struggled to his feet, pointing his cane at me like a sword. "Do you have any goddamn regard for this family? Where would you be without me? Say something, boy!"

I remained silent, sweeping my cold gaze across the hall, taking in the familiar paintings of King patriarchs that had witnessed countless family confrontations before this one.

My father sighed beside him, his tone dripping with that familiar disappointment. "Sebastian, how could you make such a careless mistake? We're deeply disappointed."

My lips twitched slightly. 'Disappointed? Father, you only know how to sigh, but you never ask why I do what I do. You never have.'

Grandfather's face turned deeper red, veins protruding at his temples. He raised his cane, clearly ready to strike. I stood motionless, my gaze icy.

Just then, Zayne entered through the side door, his expression the perfect picture of concern.

"Grandfather, please calm down!" His tone was urgent, placating. "Sebastian must have his reasons. Don't hit him—let's talk this through like a family."

Zayne quickly stepped between us, positioning himself as the shield, the peacemaker.

"Grandfather," he continued smoothly, "Sebastian is your grandson. He wouldn't deliberately damage the family reputation. The compensation issue might be an operational error by someone beneath him, not necessarily his fault." He glanced at me with manufactured brotherly concern. "Let him apologize, return the money to the residents, and the matter can be resolved without further damage."

Grandfather breathed heavily, slowly lowering his cane, though the fury never left his eyes.

I studied Zayne's "concerned" face and couldn't help the cold smile that curved my lips. "What a good brother you are," I said quietly, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

'Your acting skills are improving, Zayne.'

Zayne turned to me, his expression still gentle, as if he hadn't caught my sarcasm. "Sebastian, I just don't want Grandfather to hurt himself in anger."

I snorted softly. 'Don't want Grandfather to hurt himself? Or don't want me to have a chance to turn things around?'

I turned to Grandfather, my voice cold but steady. "Grandfather, give me three days. I'll resolve the Bronx situation completely. If I can't, I'll face the consequences myself—the family won't suffer for my actions."

Grandfather paused, his expression complex. He struck his cane against the marble floor with a sharp crack. "Fine. Three days! If you can't fix it, don't ever step through this door again!"

I said nothing more, turning to leave the hall. 'Three days is more than enough.'

Back in my car, Nolan started the engine, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

"Sir, should we take action now?" he asked quietly.

I cut him off with a slight wave of my hand. "No. Let it grow bigger."

Nolan's eyebrows rose slightly.

"When the time is right, I'll handle it my way," I added, staring out at the passing streetlights.

Nolan nodded, asking no further questions. That's why I kept him close—he knew when to shut up.

I leaned back in the leather seat, closing my eyes briefly. "How's Joanna?" I asked, my voice betraying nothing.

"She's staying put in the mansion, no movement so far," Nolan replied professionally.

I opened my eyes, my lips curling into a smile that didn't reach my eyes. Joanna thought she had the upper hand with her little crusade for justice. She had no idea what was coming.

---

Joanna's POV

I sat on the edge of my bed, darkness pressing against the windows of Sebastian's mansion. The silence since he'd stormed out was almost worse than his anger.

I stared at my phone, his cold smile and that cutting "ungrateful brat" comment replaying in my mind.

'Sebastian, you say I'm being used, but why won't you just explain? My heart feels like it's being torn apart—what should I do?'

My phone suddenly vibrated in my hand, making me jump. Zayne's name flashed on the screen. With shaking fingers, I answered.

"Joanna," his voice was warm, concerned. "How are you holding up? You've seen the news, right? Did Sebastian give you trouble when he came back?"

The genuine worry in his tone made my eyes sting with tears. "He... he was furious," I admitted, my voice small. "He questioned what I'd done, called me an ungrateful brat." I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat.

Zayne sighed heavily. "Joanna, I know Sebastian's temper all too well. He won't let this go easily." His voice dropped lower, more serious. "You need to be careful. He might retaliate—perhaps by cutting your mother's medical funds, or worse... You should distance yourself from him for now, don't provoke him further."

My heart seemed to stop for a beat. Cold fear washed over me. 'Would Sebastian really do that?'

"Zayne, what should I do?" I asked, hating how desperate I sounded. "I just wanted to help those residents, but now everything's blown up. I'm afraid Sebastian will never forgive me." My voice cracked on the last words.

"Joanna, listen to me," Zayne's voice was firm but gentle. "You did nothing wrong—Sebastian is the one at fault. Don't worry, I'll help you however I can. Just protect yourself for now, okay? Avoid confrontation with Sebastian until things cool down."

I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "Thank you, Zayne."

As I hung up, an unsettling feeling crawled up my spine. Sebastian's words echoed in my mind: "You've been manipulated, Joanna. You're a pawn in someone else's game."

'Was he talking about Zayne? But Zayne has only tried to help me... hasn't he?'