Liam Winston's gaze lingered on Sophia Sullivan.
That fleeting glimpse of her on the Royal Princess Cruise had been like spotting a thorned red rose.
Now she resembled the distant moon—serene, luminous, yet untouchable.
The gentle warmth in Sophia's eyes had vanished, replaced by glacial indifference.
Not even a trace of resentment remained.
An inexplicable irritation twisted in Liam's chest.
Chloe Evans noted his distraction perfectly.
Her nails dug crescent moons into her palms.
She stepped forward, gently patting Mrs. Winston's back.
"Auntie, are you alright?"
Her tone turned accusatory when addressing Sophia.
"Our generation's disputes shouldn't involve distressing our elders."
Lily Lowell immediately took the cue.
"Miss Sullivan, the Winstons treated you generously."
"Three million for the divorce wasn't enough?"
"Must you be so aggressive over an invitation?"
Sophia observed their performance with detached amusement.
As Mrs. Winston's trusted aide, Lily wouldn't dare speak without permission.
On cue, Mrs. Winston coughed weakly.
Her pallid face feigned distress.
"Sophia's always been filial. She wouldn't act this way."
Lily chimed in: "Madam adored you—adopting you after the divorce, gifting that bracelet..."
"The bracelet?" Sophia's lips curved. "There were two, correct?"
"The matching one's on your wrist. Did Mrs. Winston adopt you too?"
Lily's face drained of color.
"That's absurd!"
Her voice trembled, knees buckling.
Sophia advanced relentlessly.
"Of all things to steal, you chose Madam's favorite heirloom."
"That box under your bed must be overflowing by now."
Lily collapsed like a marionette with cut strings.
Before she could protest, Mrs. Winston snapped:
"Get out!"
Chloe's stomach clenched.
Her heavily bribed pawn had just been eliminated.
Sophia turned to her with a razor-thin smile.
"Take whatever you covet."
"But if an orphan like me secured a Decagon invitation..."
Her featherlight voice carried steel.
"...surely the future Mrs. Winston won't do worse?"
Chloe's teeth sank into her lower lip.
The barb left her roasting on public coals.
Forever beneath Sophia in the Winston hierarchy.
Yet Mrs. Winston's eyes gleamed.
"Chloe's influential parents will naturally assist our family."
Her gaze hardened at Sophia.
"Consider carefully whether to burn this bridge."