At the Penthouse
The evening began with chaos. Alaric was in the study, and Aveline was on the couch watching the news on her laptop with a sketchbook in her lap.
Lucien Astor stepped out of the Blue House, his face unreadable, as he walked straight toward his personal car. The presidential security didn't even move, only stood stiffly as if the decision wasn't theirs to make.
The car doors shut, and in seconds it rolled past the gates, ignoring the reporters who shouted and tried to block the way.
The broadcast cut to the reporter, her voice edged with shock. "Breaking news. Lucien Astor has officially resigned from his position. He has refused to answer questions, and sources say the resignation is for personal reasons."
But the bold headlines scrolling across the bottom of the screen said otherwise:
'Astor Resigns Amid Growing Scandal - Is This the Beginning of the End?'
