ARMANDS POV
The family dinner had been revealing in ways I hadn't fully anticipated. It wasn't just a meal, it was a window into getting everyone comfortable with each other. I had expected Monica to invite Patrick Ross, but she didn't. I knew there were concerns she hadn't yet voiced, despite the feelings she harbored for him. S was holding her back.
Mark, on the other hand, was forthright about his relationship with Milan, making no effort to hide his affection for her. And Brenda, always bold, had invited Senator Liam's daughter, Autumn. I had my reservations at first, given the Senator's history, but Autumn surprised me. She was nothing like her father—sharp, thoughtful, and with a warmth that drew others in.