Salt Kiss – Episode 48
Isolde’s father agreed to meet only after she threatened to expose the marriage negotiations publicly. They chose neutral ground: a private conference room under federal surveillance.
Tristan attended despite his healing wound. Mark objected until Isolde reminded him that excluding Tristan violated their first agreement.
Her father entered with contempt already prepared. He accused Mark of corrupting Isolde and Tristan of forgetting his station.
“My station is between your daughter and anyone trying to kill her,” Tristan said.
Isolde placed the photograph of the carved crest on the table. “Did you order the attacks?”
Her father denied it, but fear flickered before anger replaced it.
Mark noticed. “You recognize the symbol.”
The older man admitted that a faction within the family opposed the alliance. They believed marrying Isolde to Mark would transfer influence and expose years of concealed dealings.
“Who leads them?” Tristan asked.
“If I knew, I would have stopped them.”
Isolde did not accept the evasion. She demanded access to financial records and personnel files, refusing to return under her father’s authority.
He called her ungrateful and ordered her to leave with him.
“No.” The single word carried years of denied autonomy. “I am not your offering, your apology, or your leverage.”
Her father raised a hand in anger. Tristan moved, but Mark reached him first and caught the man’s wrist.
“You will never touch her,” Mark said.
Isolde looked at her fiancé with startled recognition. For once, his dominance created safety rather than another cage.
Her father left after surrendering partial access, promising they would regret humiliating him. Tristan watched the door close and knew the threat had only changed shape.
On the table, the abandoned family file contained a familiar name: the former Lyonesse employee whose credential began the entire breach.