Clyde suddenly instructed the attendants to escort the children to the second floor.
For a fleeting moment, confusion flickered across Ryley's face.
Wasn't Clyde supposed to present Morgan's birthday gift after this?
The thought surfaced instinctively, but Ryley forced himself to suppress it almost as quickly.
"Anna," Clyde began, setting his cutlery down with deliberate calm. "I've reconsidered something."
Madam Beckett looked up at once.
"I think we shouldn't simply make the announcement at the banquet in Dresden tomorrow."
Her brows lifted slightly, caught off guard. "Then… is there anything else we should prepare for?"
Clyde did not answer immediately.
Instead, his gaze drifted across the room.
It settled first on Vincent, who stood quietly at the corner like a silent sentinel. Then it shifted again—to Starla, who had been stealing occasional glances toward Vincent whenever she thought no one noticed.
Ryley watched the movement carefully.
