Lucky

Ephyra tilted her head slightly, her cold gaze cutting through Marianna like a blade.

"You're lucky I don't want to get my hands dirty today," Ephyra added, her voice soft but chilling. "But don't test me, Marianna. I don't have the patience to act like the evil stepmother and kind stepdaughter with you anymore."

Without waiting for a response, Ephyra turned and resumed her ascent, her steps deliberate and unhurried. Behind her, Marianna stood rooted to the spot, her earlier bravado completely shattered.

When Ephyra reached her room, she closed the door behind her, exhaling slowly. The encounter replayed in her mind, but she pushed it aside. There were bigger things to focus on now.

She glanced at her desk, where a stack of documents lay neatly arranged—papers that Lyle's team had delivered earlier that morning. Among them was the finalized marriage certificate and a folder containing information about the banquet.