“Because we buried it,” Dad shot back. “Do you understand what kind of speculation circulates when certain names enter our orbit?”
There it was. The reference to Ferraro. He still wouldn’t say it outright. “Protection isn’t scandal,” I answered. “Silence is.”
The room went still.
Dad’s jaw clenched. “You don’t get to redefine risk.”
Mom rose from her chair. “This isn’t about a party. It’s about timing. Dunn is positioning. Analysts are watching. Investors are nervous.”
“It was contained,” I repeated.
“Not by you,” Dad said.
That was the point. Control in this house had always meant him.
A knock cut through the tension before it tipped further. Drew stepped in without waiting for permission.
“What’s going on?” he asked, tone light enough to be deliberate.
“Your brother is confusing independence with recklessness,” Dad replied.
Drew’s gaze flicked to me. Brief. Assessing.
“The situation was contained quickly,” he said. “No press traction. No regulatory noise. We have bigger fires.”
Bigger fires. Dad’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly. Mom rose from the chair then, smoothing a hand down the front of her jacket as she crossed the room. She stopped beside Dad, close enough that her fingers rested lightly at his waist.
It wasn’t affectionate. It showed alignment. Her grip tightened once, and a quick, loaded glance passed between them.
The realization took hold. I wasn’t being corrected. I was being managed. Strategically.
“Every move reflects on this family,” Dad said.
“I’m aware.”
“Then act accordingly.”
The dismissal didn’t need to be spoken. I turned before either of them could continue. Drew followed me into the hallway.
“Don’t take it personally,” he said once we were out of earshot.
“I don’t.”
“You should take it seriously, though.”
That made me stop.
He studied me, something restrained behind his eyes. “There are conversations happening you’re not part of yet,” he continued carefully.
“Yet.”
His mouth curved faintly. Not humor. “Just keep your head down for a few weeks.”
“For what?” I asked.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he clapped a hand against my shoulder and walked away.
I found Claire in the east sitting room, tablet balanced on her knee.
