Chapter 74 – A Dangerous Gamble

The grand banquet hall was abuzz with murmurs, the polished marble floor reflecting the dim glow of chandeliers as nobles whispered behind their gilded fans. The tension in the air was thick—thicker than the expensive perfume wafting through the room.

The news had spread like wildfire.

The Duke's northern estate had been attacked.

Verbena lifted her wine glass to her lips, taking a slow sip as she watched the scene unfold with keen amusement. The nobles were feasting on the scandal, their curiosity barely veiled. Some whispered theories about Theodore's enemies, while others eyed him cautiously, measuring his reaction.

But Theodore? He was calm. Too calm.

Verbena could tell by the way he stood—his back rigid, his fingers lightly tapping against his wine glass—that he was furious.

Cassius, Theodore's most trusted aide, entered swiftly, his sharp gaze cutting through the room as he approached. He leaned in, lowering his voice, but Verbena, seated beside Theodore, caught every word.

"The estate suffered heavy damages. Several buildings burned, the guards caught off guard. But the attackers left something behind—Duke Belmont's crest."

A perfectly placed bait.

Verbena's lips twitched. How convenient.

Duke Belmont was one of Theodore's most persistent political rivals, but he was also too cunning to launch an open attack. If he truly wished to strike, he would have done so from the shadows.

Theodore's expression didn't waver, but the slight clench of his jaw was enough for Verbena to know he had taken the bait.

"Send reinforcements. I'll deal with Belmont myself," Theodore ordered, his voice cold and cutting.

Cassius bowed. "Understood, Your Grace."

Verbena expected Theodore to look at her—perhaps blame her, accuse her of scheming something, or at the very least, warn her to stay out of his way.

But instead, he walked past her, treating her as if she were nothing but a speck of dust in the room.

Oh? Ignoring her now, was he?

How interesting.

With a small smirk, Verbena leaned toward a noblewoman seated beside her. "Poor Duke Belmont. I hear he's quite old. Do you think he really has the strength to launch an attack like this?"

The noblewoman gasped, her fan nearly slipping from her hand. "You mean… he's being framed?"

Verbena simply smiled, her lashes lowering as she took another sip of wine.

The whisper spread like ripples in a pond. Within minutes, the entire banquet hall was buzzing with speculation—was Duke Belmont truly responsible, or was someone else using his name to provoke the Duke of Hellgrave?

By the time Theodore stepped outside the hall, nobles were already murmuring among themselves, questioning the true mastermind behind the attack.

Verbena walked past him gracefully, trailing her fingers lightly over the sleeve of his coat as she leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Checkmate, darling."

Theodore clenched his jaw as he watched her disappear into the crowd, his patience wearing dangerously thin.

He knew exactly what she was doing.

And damn it, it was working.

—

Meanwhile, in a secluded garden pavilion…

A shadowed figure sat with a glass of brandy, watching the chaos unfold from afar.

"She's quick," the figure murmured, swirling the amber liquid in the glass.

A second figure beside him let out a low chuckle. "Quicker than we anticipated. But let's see how long she lasts."

The first man smirked. "Indeed. This game is only just beginning."

—