Page 109 of Ruthless Kings of Obsession

The way she says it – so professionally matter-of-fact – makes another laugh bubble up. "How are you so calm about all this?"

"Years of practice," she replies simply. "Though I must admit, your particular situation provides unique challenges to maintaining professional detachment."

"Unique challenges?" I echo, not sure I want to know what she means.

"Let's just say the security footage requires very careful handling." Her lips twitch again. "Especially the dining room cameras from this morning."

"There's footage?" The word emerges as barely more than a squeak.

"There's always footage, Miss Prescott." Hannah's tone suggests this should be obvious. "Though in this case, I believe Mr. Benedict has already acquired copies for his personal collection."

"Of course he has," I groan, though I can't quite suppress the shiver that runs through me at the thought of Zander watching the recordings. "Is there anything in this house that isn't monitored?"

"That would be inefficient," Hannah observes mildly. "Though I do maintain strict protocols about data security and access limitations."

I'm not sure whether to be horrified or impressed by her thoroughness. "So you really see everything?"

"Everything relevant to maintaining the safety and security of this household." Her professional mask slips just slightly as she adds, "Though I must admit, this morning's performance exceeded even my usual expectations for creative use of breakfast condiments."

"I give up," I sigh, watching Hannah continue her methodical organization of our kitchen. "I'd apologize for future incidents, but we both know I have absolutely no control over their... appetites."

A ghost of a smile plays at Hannah's lips as she arranges imported spices with military precision. "That would be like apologizing for the tide, Miss Prescott. Some forces simply can't be contained."

The casual observation makes me pause, studying her profile as she works. Despite years of witnessing her quiet efficiency, I realize I know very little about the woman who manages our chaos with such unflappable grace.

"Hannah?" I venture carefully, settling onto one of the bar stools at the kitchen island. "How long have you been working with Matteo?"

Her movements pause briefly – so briefly I almost miss it – before resuming their steady rhythm. "That depends on how you define 'working with,'" she says, her tone measured. "I've been aware of Mr. Leighton since his early teens, though our formal arrangement began when he left the family estate."

"When he broke away from the Leightons?" The thought of teenage Matteo striking out on his own makes something in my chest ache. "That must have been... intense."

"That's one word for it." Hannah's voice carries a weight I've rarely heard from her. She turns to face me fully, her usual professional mask softening slightly. "Imagine, if you will, a sixteen-year-old boy deciding to challenge not just his family's authority, but the entire power structure of our world. Mostpeople called it suicide. Some called it rebellion. I saw it for what it was – evolution."

My breath catches at the pride in her tone. "What made you choose to help him?"

"Choice implies I had other options." Her smile turns sharp, reminding me that beneath her composed exterior lies someone equally dangerous as any of my Kings. "I recognized in him something I'd been searching for – a force capable of genuine change. Not just the superficial power plays that pass for progress in our circles, but real, systemic transformation."

She moves to the coffee machine, her movements precise as she prepares what I know will be a perfect brew. "Our world," she continues, "particularly enjoys crushing those who dare to rise above their assigned stations. Women especially face... unique challenges in establishing any real authority."

"Tell me about it," I mutter, remembering my own struggles. The years of training, the carefully calculated moves required just to be considered for the position of Ruthless Maiden. "Sometimes it feels like we have to work twice as hard just to be taken half as seriously."

"Precisely." Hannah's nod carries years of shared understanding. "Which is why I found Mr. Leighton's approach so refreshing. He never saw gender as a limitation – only capability mattered. When he discovered I could outthink most of his father's security team while serving them coffee, he didn't hesitate to offer me a position more suited to my skills."

The coffee machine hums as she works, the rich aroma filling the kitchen. "I watched him build his foundation from nothing," she continues. "Watched him navigate betrayals, assassination attempts, and countless efforts to force him back under the family's control. Through it all, he never wavered from his vision."

"Which was?" I lean forward, fascinated by this glimpse into Matteo's past.

"To create something new. Something that wasn't bound by old prejudices and outdated power structures." She sets a perfectly prepared cup of coffee before me. "He understood that true power isn't about dominance – it's about adaptation. About recognizing potential in unexpected places."

I wrap my hands around the warm mug, letting her words sink in. "Is that why you've stayed? All these years?"

"I stay because this role gives me exactly what I need – control." Her admission carries no shame, no hesitation. "In our world, women are typically relegated to decorative positions or behind-the-scenes manipulation. I prefer a more... direct approach to maintaining order."

A laugh escapes me before I can stop it. "Direct is one word for it. I've seen some of your 'maintenance' techniques."

Her answering smile holds real warmth. "Sometimes the most effective solutions require creative interpretation of traditional methods."

"Is that what we're calling that incident with the sewer and Domino?" I tease, remembering how she'd assisted Matteo in that particular negotiation.

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