Sophia Sullivan was trying on her wedding dress when the call came.
Her mother's voice was urgent on the other end.
"Chloe, come to SKP Mall right now! Someone's trying to take the dress I picked out!"
She immediately set down the veil in her hands.
Liam Winston had been reviewing wedding plans on the sofa. Noticing her expression, he stood and followed.
When they arrived at the boutique, Victoria Chamberlain stood in the center of the store.
Sophia lounged casually in the seating area.
Chloe hesitated mid-step.
"Sophia?"
Her voice was soft, but her nails dug into her palms.
Why was this woman everywhere?
Seeing her daughter and son-in-law, Victoria grew bolder.
She pointed at Sophia and snapped at the clerk.
"Do you know who my son-in-law is? The CEO of Winston Group! How dare you sell that dress to someone else?"
She pulled Chloe closer.
"This dress is perfect for your reception. I picked it just for you."
But Liam's gaze lingered on Sophia.
She wore a simple white knit top and jeans.
Relaxed against the sofa, she seemed untouched by the chaos around her.
Not even news of his wedding could make her look up.
An inexplicable irritation rose in Liam's chest.
"Sophia, give us the dress."
His voice was icy.
"This wedding means everything to Chloe. I'll pay double."
Sophia laughed.
"Is throwing money around all you know how to do, Mr. Winston?"
She beckoned the store manager.
"Wrap it up."
The manager weighed his options.
The Winstons were powerful, but the Sullivan heiress wasn't someone to cross.
He hurried toward the register.
Liam's expression darkened.
"That dress is a wedding gift for Chloe."
He thought Sophia was deliberately provoking him.
"Take anything else. Not this."
Isabella Robinson burst out laughing.
"Sophia, listen to him. He actually thinks we care about his wedding."
Sophia rubbed her temples.
"Some dogs never learn to stop barking."
She met Liam's gaze.
"Feeling nostalgic for that car crash, Mr. Winston? Or maybe the dark room?"
Each word struck like a knife.
"Who knew you'd enjoy humiliation so much, coming back for more."
Liam's face turned ashen.
Memories of those shameful moments flooded back.
But with his mother-in-law present, he couldn't back down.
Chloe, sensing his discomfort, spoke gently.
"If you're angry with me, Sophia, take it out on me. Why ruin my wedding gift?"
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, the picture of vulnerability.
Isabella's hand twitched, itching to slap her.
But someone lightly caught her wrist.
Ian Watson had appeared beside them unnoticed.
"Ms. Robinson, Mr. Sullivan saw you from upstairs."
Sophia looked up.
Ethan Sullivan sat in his wheelchair, expression indifferent.
"When a dog bites, you don't bite back."
His gaze swept over the manager.
"Since when does this store cater to trash?"
The manager broke into a cold sweat.
"Mr. Sullivan, I'll handle this immediately—"
Liam stepped forward.
"Are you stealing what's ours too, Mr. Sullivan?"
Ethan didn't even glance at him, signaling his assistant.
"Blacklist them."