The Unshackled Queen: Never Say Never

One man fetched the invitation from the butler with a brisk gesture, then presented it to Wilfred ceremoniously.

After perusing the invitation, Wilfred, biting his cigar, turned toward the bookshelf.

“The fault lies with my men.

Please, Miss Moore, don’t hold it against them.

It seems the Lyons family holds you in high esteem, having just returned and already receiving their invitation.”

He signaled to one of his men, who then passed the invitation to Hannah with due respect.

Hannah glanced at the invitation with a smirk.

As she attempted to leave her hiding behind the bookshelf, Dilan and Dotson quickly pulled her back.

Dotson warned, “Boss, it’s not safe out there!”

“It’s fine,” Hannah reassured them and approached Wilfred with the invitation in hand.

“So, you expect to accompany me? Did the Lyons not invite you too?”

“Hannah Moore,” Wilfred muttered, his expression darkening.

“Do not assume the Lyons’ protection makes you untouchable.

Let’s drop this topic for now.”

He continued, “Give me the company seal today, and I will depart immediately.”

Hannah laughed.

“You’ve sought that seal before, haven’t you? Have you managed to find it yet?”

Wilfred, visibly irritated by her sarcasm, clenched his teeth.

“I couldn’t find it, so I assumed you had it!”

“I didn’t have it either.

When I returned, I was told it had been stolen.

I suspected you might have taken it.”

Wilfred’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Are you serious?”

“With you searching for that seal, I was away at Cadilind.

How could I possibly have taken it?” Hannah scoffed, her tone mocking.

Wilfred only regained his composure after a while.

As he puffed on his cigar, he looked up at Hannah, struck by a sudden idea.

“I’ll accompany you to the Lyons family gathering.”

Taking Wilfred to Lyons Manor posed no risk to Hannah’s strategy.

She might even find a use for him.

She feigned contemplation, then agreed, “Alright, I can bring you along, but you must leave today.”

“There’s nothing here I need.

I’ll get my people out first,” Wilfred replied.

As he rose and headed for the door, he paused, turning back to Hannah.

“You really ought to think about working with me.”

Once he had departed with his entourage, the butler approached Hannah warily.

“Miss Moore, do you plan to work with Mr.

Wilfred Compton?”

Hannah’s gaze was icy as she watched the door close.

“Working with pigs would be more productive than with him.”

“Boss, are you sure about taking him to Lyons Manor?” the butler inquired, concern evident in his voice.

“He might use it as a chance to gain favor with the Lyons family and undermine your father.”

Hannah assured him calmly, “Yes, I’m taking him, but he won’t be able to manipulate anything.”

“My lady, shall I summon them to come up and tidy the study?” inquired the butler.