The sound of an expensive wine bottle being opened rang out in the room as father and son poured each other drinks and patted each other's backs.
"Ahhh, that little shit was really clever, but we got him.."
Cassian laughed, toasting his father.
The Grand Duke stroked his golden hair with satisfaction.
"Hahaha, who else can he turn to but family... The marriage gambit wasn't really about our little Evangeline, but about ownership."
Cassian took a sip of the wine, savoring the rich taste before speaking again.
"He couldn't reject without seeming outright unreasonable, especially since he was the one making the offer."
"Plus, there was also the issue of Sera's schemes… but nothing we can't solve with a few calls."
"Yes we can start early."
It was all smiles with schemes. Annalise sat nearby, speechless as she watched them.
"Ahhh... I liked how he figured it out but didn't try to escape. We used his own tricks," the Grand Duke laughed heartily, clearly enjoying the outcome.
