Anna erupts in anger while watching her son Gabriel’s live press conference, feeling deeply insulted by his public dismissal of her statements as unofficial and questioning her sanity. Her assistant Stephanie observes Anna’s volatile mood, offering to help, but Anna demands to be left alone and insists that no one disturb her for the day. Once alone, Stephanie makes a secret phone call, hinting at a larger plan unfolding behind the scenes.
Anna’s frustration escalates as political analysts on television speculate about her mental stability and the family’s private issues becoming public. Furious, she demands a lawyer immediately, determined to defend her reputation and regain control over the narrative. She looks out over the city, feeling misunderstood and resolved to reclaim her standing.
Meanwhile, Alfred, in a private conversation with his son John, expresses satisfaction with Gabriel’s confrontation of Anna, seeing it as a strategic move to protect the family’s honor. Alfred reveals his long-term plan to weaken Anna’s influence and replace family members in positions of power. John worries about the consequences of this public family conflict, but Alfred is resolute, viewing the situation as a calculated battle to preserve the family’s legacy.
The chapter ends with Alfred and John sharing a tense but understanding moment, acknowledging the heavy responsibilities and the difficult choices ahead as they prepare for the fallout from this internal family war.
Anna’s voice erupted through the spacious office like a sudden tempest. Her eyes burned with fury as she fixed her gaze on the television screen, where Gabriel’s press conference was unfolding live. Each word her son uttered felt like a sharp dagger, aimed directly at her pride and dignity.
“Fool!” she hissed bitterly at the screen. “What an idiot!”
Stephanie, her personal assistant, stood quietly near the doorway, petite and cautious amidst the grandeur of the office. She had long since learned to read Anna’s moods, and today was unmistakably one of those volatile days.
“When exactly did this happen?” Anna demanded, her eyes narrowing sharply as they swung toward Stephanie.
“Just a few minutes ago, ma’am. It’s a live broadcast,” Stephanie replied calmly, her tone steady as she deliberately avoided meeting Anna’s fierce gaze. It was safer that way.
Anna’s nostrils flared as her breath came fast and ragged. “How dare he tell the public that my statements weren’t official? What does he mean by that? Is he implying I’m insane?” The words tumbled out rapidly, each one laced with wounded pride and disbelief.
Stephanie stood quietly, hands folded respectfully in front of her, waiting for direction. “Is there anything you would like me to do, ma’am?” she asked softly, careful not to sound too eager.
Anna’s eyes remained glued to the screen for several long, tense seconds before she gave a slight, controlled gesture dismissing her. “Leave me. I want to be alone,” she said, her voice cold and clipped.
Stephanie bowed slightly and stepped back, moving toward the door. But just as she reached for the handle, Anna called after her, “Tell everyone I am not to be disturbed today.”
“Understood, ma’am,” Stephanie replied, and the door clicked shut behind her.
—
Once Anna was alone, Stephanie quickly pulled out her phone and dialed a number. Her voice was low and clipped as she spoke into the receiver.
“Proceed with his instructions. Immediately.” Then she ended the call and settled back at her desk, a faint, almost cruel smile tugging at the corner of her lips. The game was shifting.
Her desk phone buzzed again. Before she could think, Stephanie answered, “Yes, ma’am?”
“Get to my office. Now!” Anna’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
Stephanie rose without hesitation. She smoothed her dress, glanced at her reflection in the hallway mirror to check her hair, then returned to Anna’s office. She knocked out of habit, though it was unnecessary.
“Yes, ma’am?” she said quietly.
Anna didn’t turn to acknowledge her. Her eyes were fixed on the television, where political analysts were dissecting Gabriel’s statement with intense scrutiny.
“One analyst suggested that Mrs. Anna Wyndham might be mentally unstable,” a cautious newscaster reported on the screen. “If the son has implied that the mother’s words are unreliable, the public will surely draw their own conclusions.”
John met his father’s eyes and finally exhaled deeply. A heavy silence settled between them, as if the very walls of the house were holding their breath.
Alfred rose and moved to the window, gazing out at the estate that had once been his greatest pride. “This is my family, John,” he said simply. “I will do whatever it takes to keep it whole.”
In that moment, John saw the old man not as a distant father he had misjudged, but as a seasoned general preparing for an inevitable battle. He laced his fingers together and nodded solemnly, the weight of responsibility pressing down on them both.
The chapter closes on a tense and fragile moment within the Wyndham family, where pride, power, and loyalty collide. Anna’s fierce indignation and determination to defend her reputation reveal the depth of her wounded spirit, while Stephanie’s quiet but calculated actions hint at the shifting dynamics behind the scenes. The public scrutiny and internal betrayals expose the cracks in the family’s façade, setting the stage for a confrontation that is as much about personal vindication as it is about preserving legacy.
Meanwhile, Alfred’s cold resolve and strategic mindset underscore the high stakes involved in this family drama. His acknowledgment of past mistakes and his willingness to take decisive action reflect a man entrenched in a ruthless game of influence and control. As John grapples with the ramifications of these choices, the weight of history and the burden of future decisions settle heavily on the family’s shoulders, leaving readers poised on the edge of an unfolding conflict where every move carries profound consequences.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate power struggle within the Wyndham family, as Anna’s fury and determination to reclaim her reputation clash with the calculated maneuvers of Alfred and his allies. Tensions are mounting, and the fragile balance that once held the family together now teeters on the edge of collapse. Readers can expect to witness how Anna’s resolve will be tested, and whether she can outmaneuver the forces aligned against her without losing herself in the process.
Emotions will run high as loyalties are questioned and secrets begin to surface, revealing the true cost of ambition and betrayal. The relationship between Gabriel and his mother, already strained, may face new challenges as the public scrutiny intensifies. Meanwhile, John’s internal conflict and his growing awareness of the family’s fractured dynamics add another layer of complexity, hinting at difficult choices ahead. The stage is set for a dramatic confrontation that could change everything the Wyndhams once believed unshakable.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.

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