[The Last Chapter Of This Volume]
Benard studied his nephew carefully, his usual arrogance dimmed by something warier. Riley was young, but he had the same unnerving presence his grandfather once and still had—the same quiet, restrained power that made people think twice before crossing him.
"And do you think she'll keep winning?" Benard asked.
Riley chuckled. "That depends, doesn't it?"
Benard's lips curved into a knowing smirk, though his fingers twitched at his sides. "On what?"
Riley lifted his glass again, his gaze sharp as he took another slow sip.
"On whether she has any more weaknesses left to exploit."
For the first time in their conversation, Benard genuinely smiled—but there was a trace of unease beneath it.
Perhaps, like Peter, Riley was simply playing a much longer game.
But there was something Riley didn't say.
