Chapter 3

Andrew didn't speak to me for a week. He couldn't. The political blogs had a field day with his "pre-emptive abdication." He was a laughingstock.

His path to power through the family legacy was now blocked, so he pivoted. Just as he did last time.

The new target: Annabel Lester.

Annabel was the ultimate prize in the D.C. social scene. Beautiful, intelligent, and, most importantly, the daughter of a powerful and currently influential U.S. Senator. A marriage to her would be a shortcut back to the top.

He found me in the library, a place I now used for my own quiet pursuits. He was holding a velvet box.

"Mother," he said, his tone casual, a little too casual. "I was hoping for your opinion."

He opened the box. Inside was an absurdly expensive, custom-designed sapphire necklace. It was a statement piece, not a casual gift.

"It's for Annabel's birthday," he said, feigning innocence. "Just a friendly gesture. Do you think she'll like it?"

Last time, this was my cue. I had called in every favor. I leveraged my father's old Silicon Valley network, the one that made senators tremble. I funneled millions in "anonymous" donations to her father's campaign. I moved mountains to make that match happen for Andrew. I secured the engagement.

This time, I glanced at the necklace and then back at him.

"It's a nice gesture between friends," I said simply.

I turned back to my book.

He waited, but I offered nothing more. No suggestions, no offers to help, no strategic advice.

"That's it?" he finally asked, a note of disbelief in his voice. "Just 'a nice gesture'?"

"What else would it be?" I asked, looking up at him with mild curiosity. "Andrew, you know as well as I do that your father's family and the Lesters have been political rivals for decades. It's a miracle they're even on speaking terms."

I closed my book and stood up.

"It's a lovely thought, but don't get your hopes up. Some divides are too old to be bridged by a pretty necklace."

I left him standing there, holding the box, his new scheme already hitting a wall he wasn't prepared for. He had always assumed my power could bulldoze any obstacle.

He was about to learn what it was like to navigate the world without it.