Interest

The tea party had finally come to an end but the ripples it left behind were far from settling.

As soon as Angella stepped into the car, Millie wasted no time. "Well, that was certainly an interesting turn of events." Her voice held an unmistakable amusement.

Angella sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Mother—"

"Oh, don't you 'Mother' me," Millie interrupted as she leaned back with a knowing smile. "I saw the way Damien was looking at you and I saw the way you didn't pull away when he kissed your hand. Oh I can't wait to tell your father." 

Seeing her mother's excitement, Angella huffed. "It was nothing."

Millie chuckled. "Darling, I have been in this world long enough to know when a man is interested. And Damien? He was all but staking his claim in front of Logan and everyone else."

Angella turned sharply. "That is ridiculous. Damien and I barely know each other."

Millie raised a brow. "That didn't stop him from stepping in when Logan arrived. He was quick to shield you and you let him."

Angella opened her mouth to retort but hesitated because it was true. She had let him, she had let Damien hold her hand and take the lead in protecting her from whatever Helen and Logan had been scheming.

But that didn't mean anything.

She straightened her back. "It was just a moment. Mr. Anderson likes to stir trouble and I happened to have the perfect opportunity."

Millie shook her head with a soft sigh. "If you say so, dear." But the smile never left her lips.

….

Meanwhile in the Anderson estate, Rose Anderson was practically glowing with emotion.

She sat in Franklin Anderson's study with her excitement barely contained. "He called me 'Mother,' Franklin," she said. "Right in front of everyone. Mr. Reedner, Helen—he didn't hesitate."

Franklin looked up from his paperwork to study her face. He saw something rare in her expression, it was hope. Over the years they had been married, Damien had rarely addressed her as his mother. 

"You must not get too excited honey," he said, though his tone was far from discouraging. "Damien has always been guarded and you know that."

Rose nodded. "I know. But today… it was different. He acknowledged me that too in front of Helen.

Franklin's expression darkened slightly at the mention of Helen. "She must not have liked that."

"Oh, I am sure she didn't," Rose confirmed with a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "She looked as though she had swallowed something sour."

Franklin leaned back in his chair. "Damien isn't the type to do things without reason. If he called you 'Mother' then he meant it."

Rose swallowed as she felt an overwhelming warmth in her chest. "I have waited so long for him to see me that way."

Franklin reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. "Then don't let this moment slip away."

"I won't," Rose nodded. "And—I think Damien is not going to stay single for a very long time." 

"And why do you say that?" Franklin curiously inquired. 

"Well, you will see." Rose walked away with a smile. 

…..

[Fredrick Estate] 

Helen sat in the dimly lit lounge of the Fredrick estate with a glass of red wine in her hand. 

The tension in the room was thick between her and Logan.

Logan stood near the fireplace with his jaw clenched. He had gone to the tea party because his mother had told him to come. But he hadn't expected Damien or Angella to be there. 

"You looked rather pathetic today, Logan," Helen finally broke the silence. Her voice was laced with disdain. "Standing there and watching Damien steal the moment from you like that. What were you thinking?" 

"You were the one who called me there—" 

"Yes, because I thought your presence would shut Millie Becker's mouth. But you—" Helen scoffed. "You embarrassed me even more." 

Logan exhaled sharply as he clenched fists at his sides. "I didn't come here for this."

Helen arched her brow. "Oh? Then what did you come for? Comfort? Advice?" She laughed lightly but there was no warmth in it. "You have made your choices, Logan and frankly, they have been unimpressive."

Logan turned to face her fully. "And what exactly have I done that displeases you so much?"

Helen took a slow sip of her wine before setting the glass down. "Where do I begin?" she scoffed. "For one, you had Angella in the palm of your hand—she is a woman of grace, intelligence and a name worth respect. And yet you threw her away for—" She wrinkled her nose slightly. "Ruby, the daughter of a chauffeur."

Logan's jaw tightened at the mention of her name.

Helen tilted her head and sighed. "I don't particularly like Ruby but I have made my peace with her. After all, she is the one you chose." A slow smirk tugged at her lips. "Even if that choice cost you a woman like Angella "

Logan's hands curled into fists. "It's not your concern."

Helen scoffed. "Everything about your life is my concern. Do you think I went through all that trouble leaving the Anderson family and enduring years of scandal and shame just to raise a son who amounts to nothing?" Her voice sharpened. "You were supposed to be better than him."

Logan stiffened. He didn't need to ask who she meant.

Damien.

It was always Damien. Even when she had left him behind, even when she had started a new life the shadow of the son she abandoned still loomed between them.

Helen leaned forward slightly. "And yet you stood there today, outmatched while Damien—" She smirked mockingly. "He was dazzling and commanding attention. Like always, he was taking what he wanted proudly without an ounce of fear and hesitation."

Logan exhaled harshly as he ran a hand through his hair. "You are acting like he won something."

Helen's gaze sharpened. "Didn't he?"

Logan felt the words like a slap.

Damien had taken control of the conversation. He had kept Angella close. He had the respect of Mr. Reedner and he even called Rose "Mother" in front of everyone—something Logan knew must have burned Helen inside even if she wouldn't say it.

Logan turned away. "I won't let him keep winning."

Helen smiled. "Good." She leaned back, picking up her wine glass again. "Because right now, he is already ahead."

…..