Cain kept his eyes on Cornelia.
Not just a glance. Not a passing look. He watched her the way a gambler watches the final card turn, his attention sharp, calculating, almost hungry. Her face was calm on the surface, too calm, but he knew her too well. That stillness meant she was thinking, weighing something, holding herself back.
Good.
He didn't stop.
Inside his head, his thoughts were loud and deliberate, each one aimed straight at her.
Look at me, Cornelia. Look carefully. I'm beating him in front of everyone. I'm humiliating a Viscount noble. Are you really not going to stop me? If this keeps going, your precious Moonshade family will be dragged into trouble. Come on. Get angry. Hate me already.
His lips curved slightly, not into a smile but into something sharper.
Then he crouched down.
