Amelia Sullivan's face stretched into a practiced smile.
Her eyes held a carefully concealed chill as they rested on Sophia Sullivan.
"That day at the golf course..."
The old fox rarely felt unsettled, but Sophia's piercing gaze unnerved her.
Amelia quickly smoothed her expression.
"Had we known you were in danger, we'd have rushed to help immediately," she said with feigned concern.
Inside, she sneered.
Just an orphan with no connections.
How ridiculous that this woman had momentarily intimidated her.
Zachary Sullivan stood nearby, his face twisted in disdain.
He looked down his nose at Sophia.
"Miss Sullivan, though you work under Ethan Sullivan, you've no right meddling in family affairs."
He deliberately raised his voice.
"Be smart and step aside. Don't delay our visit with Emma."
He reached for the little girl.
Emma trembled violently, burying her face in Sophia's neck.
Her tiny fists clutched Sophia's collar desperately.
Sophia shifted to block Zachary.
"Emma isn't stable right now."
Her cold gaze swept over him.
"Keep your distance."
Zachary's face flushed with rage.
"I scare her? Don't overestimate yourself, Sophia!"
As he moved to act, Ian Gallagher intercepted him, gripping his wrist firmly.
"Patients need rest."
Ian's pleasant smile didn't reach his eyes as he applied pressure.
"Don't you know basic manners, Mr. Sullivan?"
He particularly despised troublesome relatives.
Amelia hurried to intervene.
"Zachary's just worried about Emma."
Her eyes darted over the child's condition as she pretended concern.
Turning to Ian, she adopted an ingratiating smile.
"You must be Dr. Gallagher? We've heard so much about you."
She affected warmth.
"We're family. We only want to check on Emma's recovery."
Ian adjusted his cuffs absently.
"The patient is recovering well."
His cool gaze flicked to Amelia.
"If that's all, please leave."
His tone brooked no argument.
Amelia's smile froze.
Zachary exploded.
"You're just a hired doctor!"
He jabbed a finger at Ian.
"A glorified servant paid by the Sullivans!"
He tried pushing past to grab Emma.
"Let's see how fragile she really is!"
A sharp crack echoed through the room.
Zachary screamed as excruciating pain shot through his wrist.
Cold sweat drenched his back.
He looked up into Ethan Sullivan's icy stare.
The towering man radiated menace.
"Leave."
Ethan's single word sliced through the air.
A casual push sent Zachary sprawling.
His fractured wrist swelled instantly.
Ethan handed Emma a toy.
"Take her to rest," he instructed the butler.
Then he turned to Sophia.
"My apologies for this scene."
Sophia shook her head slightly.
"Perfect timing."
Her lips curved.
"I've been in a bad mood lately."
Her stiletto found Zachary's fingers with precision.
"Oh dear. Didn't see you there."
She ground her heel deliberately.
Zachary's agonized shriek filled the room.
"Are you alright, Mr. Sullivan?"
Sophia's radiant smile contrasted with the grotesque angle of his crushed fingers beneath her red-soled shoe.