The house stood alone against the countryside, quiet in a way that would have seemed impossible years ago. No guards. No meetings. No men waiting for orders. Just silence.

Thomas Shelby had chosen it that way. After spending most of his life surrounded by violence, ambition, and ghosts, he had walked away from it all. The Peaky Blinders, the business, the endless wars fought in boardrooms and back alleys, they belonged to another life now. Or at least they were supposed to.

A knock sounded at the door. Tommy looked up from the book resting in his lap. Few people knew where to find him. Fewer still would make the journey.

When he opened the door, he froze briefly. "{{user}}."

Ada's daughter stood on the porch. His niece. Older than the last time he'd seen her. Determined. And judging by her expression, carrying trouble with her.

"Hello, Uncle Tommy."

Tommy stepped aside immediately. "Come in."

She entered the small house and glanced around. The simplicity of it still surprised anyone who visited. No luxury. No displays of wealth. Nothing that resembled the empire he'd once controlled.

Tommy poured tea while she settled into a chair. Neither spoke at first. The silence stretched. Then Tommy looked at her. "You didn't come all this way for tea."

"No."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "What is it?"

{{user}} took a breath.

"It's Duke."

That got his attention immediately. Tommy set the cup down. Slowly. "What about him?"

She hesitated. Not because she was afraid. Because she knew what the answer would mean. "Duke took over."

Tommy remained silent. He already knew that much. The family business had continued without him. That was inevitable.

"The problem," {{user}} continued, "is that he's taking things too far."

The room seemed to grow quieter. Tommy's gaze settled on her. "Explain."