Josephine’s hand froze mid-air, her glass of wine hovering. Vivian’s mouth opened and closed without sound. Margaret leaned forward, eyes wide with disbelief.

"His father... was gay?" Josephine finally whispered, as if saying it louder might make it more real. "Amelia, you never told us that. All these years..."

Amelia stared into her now-empty glass, her usual strained composure cracking at the edges. "I didn’t want to. It was my shame to carry. His father... he hid it well. He married me for appearances, for the family name, for public image. But I knew. I always knew. The late nights, the ’business trips,’ the way he looked at certain men when he thought no one was watching."

Vivian reached over and gently took Amelia’s hand. "Why didn’t you leave him?"

Amelia let out a bitter laugh. "And lose everything? The home we built together? The reputation? Silas was already born. I stayed for him. I thought I could make it work. But in the end, his father chose his secrets over his family. And now... I’m terrified Silas is walking the same path."

Josephine set her glass down. "You really think Silas is gay?"

"I don’t know," Amelia admitted, her voice trembling for the first time. "But the way he looked at that boy tonight — Sylvain. There was something there. Possession. Control. Protectiveness. And the boy... he was terrified, Josephine. Terrified and obedient in a way that didn’t feel like a normal employee. An MBA from Wharton, cooking ramen for my son? It doesn’t add up."

Margaret exhaled slowly. "If it’s true... what are you going to do?"

Amelia’s eyes hardened. "I’m going to find out the truth. And if my son is hiding a man instead of building a future with a proper wife, I will intervene. I will not let the Vane legacy end because of another man’s secrets."

The women exchanged glances. The mood in the room had shifted from gossip to genuine concern.

Meanwhile, back at the penthouse, the silence was deafening.

Sylvain remained on his knees, heart pounding as Silas’s fingers stayed tangled in his hair. The grip wasn’t painful, but it was firm — a reminder of ownership.

Silas finally released him and stepped back. "Stand up."

Sylvain rose on shaky legs. His face was still flushed with humiliation from Amelia’s visit. The business card she had given him felt like it was burning a hole in his pocket.

Silas studied him for a long moment, eyes dark. "You really must have enjoyed the attention my mother gave you, huh? First time in six months after your parents disappeared."

"I’m sorry," Sylvain whispered.

Silas’s hand shot out, gripping Sylvain’s chin. "I told you not to apologize repeatedly. You love playing the victim card, right? Fine. I’ll let you have fun with that card in the bedroom."

He pulled Sylvain closer, kissing him hard — possessive, demanding, tasting of wine and control. Sylvain whimpered into the kiss, hands clutching Silas’s shirt. When Silas pulled back, his voice was low and dangerous.

"You’re protective of your brother, huh? Not even interested in finding your parents’ whereabouts, Sylvain. What if I told you I know where they are? Would you pay for that information... or your brother’s freedom? Your choice."

"What are you saying, Silas? I did... I did work for my brother’s freedom last night." Sylvain clenched his hands together.

"I never said you didn’t. But was it a lifetime guarantee from me? Or did your little daydreaming mind hear me wrongly?"

"Silas, what are you doing? You said my brother is free. Those were your words this morning."

"My dear Sylvain, if I recall correctly, I never said anything to you except telling you to go out with your brother. Where did your delusional promise come from?"

"I hate you, Silas. I detest your very being. I thought we were already friends... perhaps more than that. I hate you!!"

"Hate and fear are just part of the emotions you will receive from me. I will make sure you suffer for it, Sylvain. I will torture you until you regret coming to life, you bitch!"

"What did I do to you, Silas? Why do you hate me so much? Why!!"

"Hate? Hahaha, I don’t hate you, Sylvain. I wish to kill you, you detestable human being. I wanted you to feel hope and then crush you to the depths of the sea. Let me hear you shout for my help while I watch you drown." Silas grabbed his neck and tightened his hands around it. Sylvain found it difficult to breathe.

"Why would I keep my bully beside me? Has that question ever crossed your mind? You always behave like the main character when you’re nothing more than a side villain destined to be killed." He released his hands and slapped Sylvain across the face.

"Silas, so I was just a plaything to you? Where are my parents?" Sylvain held his choked throat, tears already filling his eyes.

"You haven’t paid with your body yet, boy," Silas smirked at him.

Sylvain wiped his tears and stood up from the ground. "Fine. If that’s what you want." He walked to the master bedroom with trembling steps. He lay on the bed as instructed, heart racing.

Silas followed moments later, already shedding his suit jacket. He stood at the foot of the bed, looking down at Sylvain like a king surveying his conquest. "Do I have to beg you to spread your legs?"

Sylvain stood up from the bed, his eyes filled with anger as he stared at Silas. "Weren’t you the one hungry for it? Why don’t you take what you want?"

Silas slowly removed his shirt, continuing to stare at Sylvain’s chest. "Your parents are at stake here, Sylvain. It’s your choice, not mine."

Sylvain looked deeply at Silas and lifted the top he was wearing, revealing the marks Silas had imprinted on him the night before. He unzipped his trousers, his back exposed to full view.

Silas was already naked by the time Sylvain finished undressing. His member was rock hard, staring at Sylvain’s back, pre-cum dripping from the tip. "How nice to have your bully beneath you."

Sylvain didn’t reply. He only climbed onto the bed and lay still.

"Spread your legs," Silas said as he walked to the bed.

Sylvain did as told, shame and anger warring inside him.

Silas climbed onto the bed, covering Sylvain’s body with his own. He stroked Sylvain’s cock slowly, his mouth capturing Sylvain’s in a deep kiss while his hands worked on his nipples.

After kissing him for some time, Silas moved to his nipples, grabbing and sucking them hard, making Sylvain whimper beneath him.

Sylvain controlled himself, refusing to moan no matter what Silas did. Silas moved to his shoulders and bit down hard, continuing to bite every part of his neck.

Sylvain gritted his teeth and made no sound. Silas grabbed the oil on the table beside the bed and rubbed it on his throbbing member. Droplets of pre-cum were already slipping from the tip.

He oiled himself and rubbed Sylvain’s hole.

A short sound escaped Sylvain’s mouth as Silas slid his middle finger inside his entrance.

Sylvain covered his mouth and refused to moan at whatever thing Silas was doing to his body. Silas noticed him covering his mouth. "Hmmm... You don’t want to sing to my tune, huh? Let’s see if you can resist this."

He slicked himself quickly and pushed inside in one deep thrust. Sylvain cried out, the burn sharp and overwhelming, but Silas didn’t slow down.

He fucked him hard and deep, each thrust a punishment and a claim. "You belong to me," Silas growled against his neck. "Not my mother. Not anyone else. Me."

Sylvain moaned brokenly, tears slipping from the corners of his eyes as anger and pain mixed. Silas’s hand wrapped around his cock, stroking him roughly in time with his thrusts.

"Cum for me, bully," Silas demanded. "Show me who you belong to."

Sylvain shattered with a choked cry, spilling over Silas’s fingers. Moments later, Silas buried himself deep and came hard, filling Sylvain with heat.

They lay there afterward, breathing ragged. Silas stayed inside him for a long time, grinding slowly, savoring the feeling.

Finally, he pulled out and rolled off, lying on his back. "Clean yourself up," he said quietly. "And sleep here tonight. I’m not done with you yet."

Sylvain’s eyes widened in shock. "You want me to sleep here?"

Silas only stared at him. "Should I add ’please’?"

Sylvain shook his head weakly and slipped into the bathroom on unsteady legs. His nipples hurt from the intensity with which Silas had sucked them.

As he cleaned up, fresh tears fell. Why did he have to suffer under this beast? Why was he treated like an animal? He was nothing more than a breeding dog to Silas.

In the bedroom, Silas stared at the ceiling, his mother’s words echoing in his mind.

"Don’t make me regret raising you to be better than this."

He closed his eyes, jaw tight. His mother had no idea how deep this had already gone. And he had no intention of letting her find out.