ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO

JOCELIA'S POV

As I moved quietly through the hallway, my footsteps were nearly silent on the plush carpet. The opulence of our penthouse was something I usually took for granted, but today, it felt like a gilded cage. The low murmur of voices filtered through, and I leaned closer, my heart pounding in my chest. Eavesdropping wasn't exactly an uncommon practice in our world; secrets were currency, and I was about to collect.

From what I could hear, there were only three voices inside besides my father’s. The trusted board members. These were men who had been with the Lockwood's for years, advising, supporting, and occasionally challenging their decisions. I recognized their voices—sharp, seasoned, and laced with the arrogance that came from years of wielding power.

“I’d prefer to skip the pleasantries, Konrad,” one of them said. His voice was clipped, impatient. “We’d rather get straight to the point. Why the sudden summons?”

My father’s voice, usually so controlled and measured, had a