Liam Winston's smile froze instantly.
The rumors about Ethan Sullivan came rushing back.
Three winters ago, he'd witnessed Ethan's methods firsthand.
Freshly appointed to lead the family business, he'd been entertaining clients.
Outside the club, a man was being held underwater in freezing temperatures.
The mercury had plunged below -10°C. The victim's skin turned violet with hypothermia.
Ethan stood nearby, his expression unreadable.
"That's what happens when you cross the Grim Reaper," his client had whispered.
By dawn, the man's company collapsed.
No one in A-City dared speak his name again.
A cold sweat trickled down Liam's spine.
He forced composure. "Our apologies for the offense today."
Chloe Evans suddenly spoke up, her voice trembling. "Mr. Sullivan, this is entirely our fault."
Tears welled in her red-rimmed eyes.
"If my sister said anything inappropriate, I'll apologize on her behalf—"
Ethan's chuckle cut through the air like shattering glass.
His gaze turned glacial.
"Who do you think you are?"
The verbal slap left Chloe ghostly pale.
Her usual damsel-in-distress act had failed spectacularly.
Ethan's attention shifted to Liam.
"If I needed verification, Sophia Sullivan would be the only credible source."
"After all, she's Mr. York's mentor."
Liam's pulse spiked.
"Impossible! I know Sophia Sullivan better than anyone!"
The accusation of deception burned in his throat.
Her sudden appearance couldn't be coincidence.
Sophia tapped the table lightly. "What if it's true?"
"Then I'll apologize!"
"An apology won't suffice."
Her finger traced the wood grain.
"Potter's Town tradition demands kneeling with tea for slanderers."
"Followed by three ceremonial kowtows."
Liam scoffed. "Do you think I'm afraid?"
His investigators had unearthed her pathetic history.
Born in rural poverty. Abandoned as a child.
A middle-school dropout stranded on some godforsaken island.
Only Mr. Winston Sr.'s gratitude gave her entry to high society.
How could gutter trash possibly mentor Benjamin York?
The legendary artisan had been notoriously arrogant even in youth.
No way would he bow to some upstart girl in his twilight years.
"But if you're lying, you'll kneel and confess—"
The kitchen door burst open.
A silver-haired man stormed out, livid.
"How dare anyone disrespect my mentor!"