Lucian POV

That night, my father had to be in the house. I barely stepped through the door before I saw him-seated on the couch in the living room, a mountain of files spread across the coffee table around him.

I groaned under my breath, ignoring him and heading straight for the kitchen. I needed water. And space.

But of course, his voice stopped me before I could reach the doorway.

"I heard you went to dinner with your employees tonight," he said, matter-of-factly.

I froze mid-step, my hand still reaching for the kitchen doorframe. I turned slowly, keeping my face neutral. "What? Are you having someone spy on me?"...