The underground parking garage was dimly lit.
Liam Winston and Chloe Evans walked in single file.
His face was stormy.
"Sophia Sullivan plays dirty."
Chloe spoke softly to soothe him.
"Don't be angry, Liam."
But resentment flickered in her eyes.
"Your sister kept glancing at the VIP lounge during the awards."
"I heard Ethan Sullivan brought his niece."
Liam clenched his fists.
"Ethan Sullivan?"
He sneered.
"That cripple's been useless for years."
"Even if his legs healed, other parts are beyond repair."
His tone dripped with bitterness.
"You think Sophia could ever be happy with him?"
Sudden applause echoed from the shadows.
Zachary Sullivan stepped into view.
"Well said."
Liam whirled around, alert.
"Who are you?"
"Zachary Sullivan."
A business card was offered.
Liam crumpled it and tossed it into a trash bin.
"A Sullivan."
Disdain colored his voice.
"A bastard like you deserves that name?"
Zachary's expression darkened.
Chloe immediately bowed.
"Forgive him, Mr. Sullivan."
Her voice was honeyed.
"Liam has history with your brother."
Zachary studied her.
The woman's neck was bent submissively.
Fragile enough to stir protective instincts.
He suppressed the thought.
"No need for hostility, Mr. Winston."
"We both despise Ethan Sullivan."
Today's original plan had failed.
Ethan never appeared in the audience.
But Emma Sullivan was present.
So he'd improvised.
Bump into Sophia.
Create a diversion.
Ethan would show himself eventually.
He offered another card.
"More allies mean more opportunities."
Liam accepted it coldly.
A voice called from afar.
"Zachary."
Amelia Sullivan approached gracefully.
Her attire was exquisite.
She nodded politely at them both.
Chloe froze.
She'd never seen such elegance.
Liam remembered his father's mistresses.
His face turned stonier.
Amelia remained unbothered.
Her gaze settled on Chloe.
"You're lovely, Miss Evans."
She unpinned a brooch from her dress.
"A small gift."
Then she addressed Zachary.
"Youth breeds impulsiveness."
"Ethan grew up motherless and disabled—naturally withdrawn."
Her words carried implication.
"Zachary means no harm."
Chloe stared at the brooch, mesmerized.
Since marrying into the Winston family.
Her mother-in-law only schemed over her dowry.
Yet Mrs. Sullivan bestowed such generosity.
The jeweled brooch was worth a fortune.