Harper opened her mouth to argue again, her voice already softening into that familiar pitiful tremor she always used to manipulate Sebastian.
However, before she could speak another word, Sebastian lifted his hand with quiet authority.
"Betty's words make a point."
Betty looked at him briefly, then lowered her eyes again. On the surface, it appeared as though Sebastian was siding with her, but she knew him too well.
'He isn't defending me. He's watching. Observing. Enjoying the show like some sick spectator.'
Her father wasn't simple. He never was. He was far more intelligent and twisted than he ever pretended to be.
He knew everything... every scheme, every lie, every manipulation in this house... yet he watched it all unfold from the sidelines whenever it pleased him.
'Maybe… maybe he blames Harper deep inside for my mother's death. Maybe he brought her into this house just to watch her suffer too.'
The thought scraped through her heart like a blade.
