DYNASTY - kayce dutton

chapter seven

TW: brief mention of DV

BETH SAT in the dimly lit home office, her laptop glowing softly against the wooden desk. The screen flickered as she typed "Reagan Payne Attorney" into the search bar, fingers tapping with a mix of impatience and precision. Within seconds, the page flooded with articles-Reagan's face plastered in courtroom victories, press releases from her law firm, and accolades for her successful career.

One headline snagged her attention: "Small-town Country Girl Turns High-profile Lawyer."

Beth let out a derisive scoff, leaning back in her chair, arms crossed. Self-made, my ass. No one who wore that title ever truly was. The shiny exterior might dazzle the public, but Beth knew there was always something rotten underneath. Sure, Reagan had the wins, the spotless career, but Beth was certain there was dirt. There always was.

Beth dove into the articles, clicking through with increasing speed, her frustration mounting. Instead of scandal, she found a woman who appeared... spotless. Reagan Payne wasn't just a ruthless attorney; she was a model citizen. Donations to orphan charities. Volunteering at an animal shelter. Counseling women escaping domestic violence.

Beth's mouth twisted into a frown. "Come on, bitch... there has to be something."

But after another twenty minutes of scrolling, the worst she found was a single case where Reagan had defended a guilty man-a case that had stirred controversy for a moment before blowing over. No real scandal. No secret skeletons. Just another lawyer doing her job.

Beth's eyes narrowed. She really is trying to clean up her family name, Beth mused, irritation gnawing at her.

The door creaked open, and Kayce stepped in, boots heavy on the wooden floor. He glanced around, searching for their father, but stopped when he saw Beth engrossed in her computer. She didn't even acknowledge him, too caught up in her search for some kind of flaw, some leverage she could use.

"Have you seen Dad?" Kayce asked.

"Last I checked, he was at the office," Beth replied vaguely, her eyes still skimming the screen.

"Do you know when he'll be back?"

"No." Beth hesitated, a flicker of something catching her eye in an article. Her lips curled slightly, her posture straightening. "Can I read you something?"

Kayce gave her a sidelong glance, curious but cautious. Without waiting for his approval, Beth started reading aloud, her voice laced with a smug undercurrent, as if she had finally found a crack in Reagan's perfect veneer.

"I grew up in West Montana, where the only thing that made living there bearable was my horse, the land, and a friend..." Beth paused for emphasis, her voice sharpening as she continued. "He was my best friend, actually. Always by my side, and I at his. We had a little spot where we'd meet, just us two, and it was the only time in my life where I actually felt peace."

Beth leaned back in her chair, her eyes cutting up to Kayce with a wicked gleam. He was silent, his expression tightening, and she could feel the shift. The line about the "best friend" hit harder than she expected.

Her smile spread slowly, her voice taunting. "Is she the girl?"

Kayce didn't answer, but his silence was telling enough. He stood there, unmoving, the weight of the moment settling between them. Beth's satisfaction was palpable. She'd dug and dug, finding nothing but praise and pristine records. But this-this personal connection, this history between Reagan and her brother-it was something. A weakness.

Beth crossed her arms, her smile widening. Maybe Reagan Payne wasn't so untouchable after all.

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