Theodore is coming with us.

"The child's really giving the woman hell in there" Frederick announced walking back to Join Silas from their vantage hidden position.

" I expected nothing less" Silas replied with an unknown proud smile sporting his lips.

Frederick hummed.

"He's safe" it wasn't a question.

"Yes my Lord. If the woman is stupid enough to try something-"

"Don't even give her a chance" he spat in distaste , slight anger mixing in his tone".

"As you promised. He'll be safe". Silas gave a curt nod his way.

An uproar took Frederick attention downstair. Their position having enough cover for them not to be seen, but to be able to view the activity downstairs in the hall. And it seems a drama was brewing. Should he say he expected this. He looked sideway at Silas to see his rapt attention on the drama about to enfold.

"You have always been like this, you crave the dispute to be validated right?"Magnus accused.

Lucinda scoff clicking her tongue. "Validated!?" She repeated his word. "You'll be sorely mistaken if you think I'm still the pitiful woman of six years ago vermillion". Like usual on every confrontation Dane rivers has retreated to the background. As usual also, she expected nothing from him, he was still a coward looking to be validated and can't speak up against the people higher than hime in rank and status. No need, she has no use of him. Lucinda had always fought alone.

"The mistake of lowering myself to you shall never be made once more. To hell with you duke. I don't need you or anyone validation". Snickers from the crowd followed her words.

"Look what she speaks of. She was once smitten with the duke." A woman humphed.

"Maybe she simply found someone better". Another suggested.

"Hush now! I doubt that verminous bitch could find anyone ". The third woman had an ugly sneer.

"But i heard she has a dashing gentleman interested in her ".

"As if. You speak nonsense. Delusional gossip i say".

Lucinda could hear their pestering words like an annoying fly buzzing around her. Look at them. All a coward, hiding behind their fans to cover their lips as they gossip and spread the already circulating rumors.

She doesn't have to deal with this. The deal was to create drama only if Silas was here for his entertainment. She doesn't have to keep up with them anymore.

"I-" she tried to speak but was interrupted by an alerted scream.

"Mama..!!!" Theodore screamed running down the grand stair, Valerie behind him calling out to him.

"Theodore wait!" Valerie called the young boy as he ran towards his mother, and held her skirts hiding behind her legs. This elicit the interested gaze of the guests.

Lucinda attention shifted to Theodore. She looked down at him with concerned eyes and ruffled his hair. "Are you ok Theo? Are you hurt?"

Theodore reply was to shift closer to Lucinda, clinging himself to his mother; peeking out behind her. He looked so pitiful.

Lucinda heard a sniffle coming from behind her and she turned back to face Magnus, only to see her step sister Valerie sniffling and burrowing herself into Magnus side.

"What's wrong honey?" Magnus asked valerie concerned. "Did the child do anything to you?"

Lucinda was appalled, disappointed and angry, how could he accuse Theodore of doing something to a grown up woman like her. He didn't even bother to check on Theodore, maybe having a dormant father protection instinct... Why did he have no reaction? He just stared daggers at Theodore.

He doesn't accept Theodore as his Child, doesn't mean he should act so inhumane.

"I just tried to explain to him as best i could..and he.." more sniffles "he called me names and told me i would never be his mother. I just wanted to help, i told him he'll finally have a papa and all i got was vile comments in return". She put her hands to her face " I don't know what Lucinda must have told him. I told you he wasn't safe with her. What did i do so wrong..?"

Valerie full on balled now. All pretty tears and beet red face. Magnus turned his accusing gaze to Theodore.

"You?" He roared, a vein popping at the side of his temple. He took a step closer and Lucinda block him. Her glare mirroring his as she shielded her child from his blunt rage.

She hated the man without a doubt, but to see that this was the image he wanted to show the little child he also gave a life to, undeniably twisted her guts. Theodore first time meeting his father and the scumbag was ready to tear the boy apart on baseless accusations.

Frederick shifted his gaze to Silas once more. The man's face was a sea of calmness, taking in everything going on but a slight trembling of his shoulders drew his gaze to Silas hand only to see it wrapped around the sharp stone railing in a death grip. His knuckles turning white as he stared with rapt attention. Was his master affected by what's going on? Silas sensing the gaze on him turned to Frederick only to see his gaze else where. He followed Frederick gaze to his hand. He now then noticed his hand was clenched around the hard stone.

Silas brows furrowed. What? His grip loosened and he stared at his hand perplexed. He lost control. His real emotions has come to light for a split second; the only thing that could destroy him. His confused gaze moved back to the woman who did this to him. How her and the child predicament had brought forth such reactions from him. Who really was this woman...?

"Stand down Lucinda. I want to speak with my child"

"He's my child!!" Lucinda screamed at Magnus. Her pent up rage and frustration evident on her face. "How dare you call him yours! You know nothing about Theodore. Nothing!"

"He's mine Lucinda! And he's coming with us". He reached for Theodore and she side stepped him watching him carefully like a lioness protecting her cub from a vicious predator.

"No. He shall never be!" The change to a calm tone held the attention of the socialites, all curious on whats going to happen next.