The next day, gray clouds blanketed the sky over Jouleston. The forecast called for moderate to heavy snowfall, but not a single flake had fallen yet.
Diana stepped out of the conference room. Before she could even catch her breath, her phone rang. It was Albus.
"Diana, how did things go in Norchester?"
"It's all settled. The contract's signed, and Ray will handle everything else from here," Diana replied as she walked into her office.
"Good." Albus paused for a moment. "By the way, I heard Leon's been reaching out to some of your father's former people in Brimcrest. I didn't look into what they discussed, but something about it doesn't sit right."
Diana's fingers froze just as they reached for a file.
Ever since Theodore had been stripped of his power, his former subordinates in Brimcrest had long since stopped answering to him.
If Leon was reaching out to them now, of all times, then it was a development that deserved careful consideration.
Her tone turned serious. "I understand, Grandfather. I'll keep an eye on it."
"Good. As long as you're on top of it." Albus paused again. "Oh, and how's Vee been doing lately? Your grandmother and I have both been worried about her, but we don't dare call too often. We don't want her to read too much into it."
When it came to Sydney, everyone in the Hutton family thought the same way. Right now, nothing mattered more than Sydney and the child she was carrying. Everything else could wait. They had already waited this many years. To the family, a little longer meant nothing.
Diana's expression softened, and a smile warmed her voice. "She's doing fine. Mom took James and Ray to see her at Delta Mansion yesterday. She looked well. Julian and Agatha are taking good care of her."
"Good, good." Reassured, Albus offered a few more words of advice before ending the call.
Diana set her phone on the desk and leaned back in her chair. Every trace of warmth disappeared from her eyes.
She knew exactly what Leon was planning. Having given up on salvaging the marriage, he had shifted his focus and was now trying to carve out a new path for himself in Brimcrest.
Reaching out to Theodore's former subordinates was nothing more than an attempt to gather enough leverage to negotiate with the Kingston family and secure his own position as the heir.
Diana tapped the desk and sent Nina a message.

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