Zachary Sullivan's eyes burned crimson.
His glare pinned Sophia Sullivan in place.
He wanted to skin her alive.
"You bitch! I'll kill you!"
The mask of civility shattered.
Amelia Sullivan's face paled.
She hadn't expected Ethan Sullivan to strike openly.
Ethan moved with steady precision.
No trace of injury remained.
Disappointment curdled in Amelia's chest.
Their meticulously planned kidnapping.
Had yielded nothing.
She helped Zachary up.
Her voice turned glacial. "This is too far, Ethan."
Ethan scoffed.
"Brothers?"
The word dripped with derision.
"Need I remind you?"
"This estate belongs to me by Grandfather's will."
His gaze swept over them.
"Even Father would be thrown out."
"Without my permission."
Zachary trembled with rage.
He lunged forward—
Amelia crushed his wrist.
Zachary cried out.
She ignored his pain.
Her fury barely contained as she faced Ethan.
"We came to check on Emma."
"After hearing about her kidnapping."
The power balance was clear.
Ethan controlled the family empire.
His influence spanned the city.
Direct confrontation meant humiliation.
Only patience could bring opportunity.
She must maintain her gentle facade.
Even if hatred poisoned her veins.
"I know you resent me, Ethan."
"But Zachary is innocent."
She deliberately invoked the past.
Hoping to provoke him.
The estate swarmed with informants.
She needed Ethan to lose control.
"You may reject me as your stepmother."
"But don't take it out on your brother."
Her tone carried a veiled threat.
"If anything happens to him."
"Your father won't let it slide."
She forced a magnanimous smile.
"Let's forget today's incident."
"We only meant well."
Her eyes locked onto Ethan.
Waiting for his explosive reaction.
Ethan remained impassive.
His chilling calm made her performance seem grotesque.
He finally lifted his gaze.
Those fathomless eyes stirred primal fear.
"Disappointed?"
"That we survived."
His flat delivery sent shivers down her spine.
That look reminded her of Sophia.
The same lethal aura.
Amelia instinctively stepped back.
Their scheme had failed.
Staying longer was pointless.
She drew a steadying breath.
"How can you think so poorly of me?"
"I'm still your stepmother."