Mary remained unruffled. "Of course he does. To him, I am just Edward's mistress, and you're just an illegitimate son. But that doesn't matter. Soon enough, I'll make sure he knows who truly runs the Nixons."

Back at the estate, I returned home with a storm cloud over my head.

Filipe noticed immediately. "Madam, did something happen?

"Nothing," I answered shortly. "Bring tea into my study."

"Yes, Madam," Filipe complied.

I strode into my study, slinging my bag onto the couch as I entered; my eyes were afire. How dare Cortez treat me like that? We were supposed to be on the same side, yet he had sided with Mary...