Chapter 11

On the other side of the ocean, the Narthwich skyline was painted in dazzling gold and crimson by the morning sun. In a penthouse, Cora stood barefoot by the floor-to-ceiling window in a velvet nightgown, gazing out at Green Haven. George silently laid out breakfast—truffle scrambled eggs, hand-ground Misha coffee, and melons flown in from Halivaara overnight. Hubert would usually appear at this precise moment with a carefully chosen gift. Today, he presented a velvet box. "I saw this at an auction yesterday and thought it would suit you." It held a limited-edition pen from a top luxury brand's series. Its body was engraved with cathedral arches with diamonds scattered like stars against exquisite architectural lines. Unlike the past-ignored jewelry, Cora picked it up with genuine interest. After a moment, a faint smile spread across her lips. "Thank you, Dad. It's quite unique." It was the first time in days she'd actively expressed any warmth. Hubert was stunned, and slowly,