Chapter 2: Because It's Already Done
Lucien didn't wait.
He shoved past Charles and hit the council doors at a dead run.
The corridor was empty.
Too empty.
He pulled out his phone.
His father's line rang once, twice — then cut to voicemail.
His chest tightened.
He turned back.
Charles hadn't moved.
He was standing exactly where Lucien had left him, arms folded, watching — not panicked, not guilty.
Calm.
That was the worst part.
"Call them off," Lucien said.
Charles tilted his head slightly.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You used my daughter to pull me out of that room.
Whatever you sent someone in there to do — call it off.
Right now."
Charles said nothing for a long moment.
Then, quietly: "The vote was already decided before you walked in today, Lucien.
I didn't need to send anyone."
Lucien stared at him.
"Then why is he not answering?"
Charles glanced down at his watch.
"Because it's already done."
A door opened at the far end of the corridor.
A man Lucien didn't recognize stepped out of the council chamber, slipping a folded document into his jacket pocket.
He didn't look at Lucien.
He walked straight toward the exit.
---
What was in that document — and what did Charles just take from Lucien's father?
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