Marcus released Grace’s ear with a snort of disdain, his voice laced with mockery. "Well, isn’t she up already?"

Mr. Dawson, noticing Claire’s arrival, cleared his throat awkwardly. "Alright then."

Claire appeared in decent spirits, though fatigue clung to her like a second skin. Her exhaustion was hardly surprising—she’d been pulling late hours for several consecutive days. The whispers last night about her and Alexander meeting upstairs still lingered in ...