“Devandra, sit down.”

The deep voice echoed through the great hall of the Montgomery house. The crystal chandelier reflected a soft light, but the atmosphere felt tense.

Devandra stood stiffly before the long wooden table, where an old man sat with a cane in his hand—Grandfather Montgomery, the respected patriarch of the large family.

With controlled steps, Devandra approached and sat. A thin smile played on his lips, though the old man's gaze was sharp, as if piercing the contents of his mind.

“Do you know,” the grandfather said slowly, “why I called you here today?”

Devandra straightened his shoulders. “I can only guess, Grandfather. Perhaps about the company. Or…”...