The warm atmosphere in the courtyard froze instantly.
Zachary Sullivan strode into the small yard with purpose.
His gaze swept the surroundings, undisguised disdain flashing in his eyes.
"Greetings, everyone."
He forced a familiar tone, as if they were old friends.
If not for Chloe Evans secretly tipping him off, he would never have guessed Ethan Sullivan frequented such a rural place.
Yet after his greeting, no one in the courtyard even glanced up.
Not even a sidelong look.
His so-called elder brother Ethan was entirely focused on watching Sophia Sullivan interact with Emma Sullivan.
As if Zachary didn’t exist.
The suffocating silence thickened the air.
Zachary had never been ignored like this before.
His face darkened with suppressed fury.
"Big brother, why are you ignoring me? If word gets out that we’re at odds, it’ll tarnish the Sullivan family’s reputation."
He plastered on a fake smile, deliberately provoking.
Ethan didn’t even blink.
He merely lifted his gaze, looking at Zachary as if he were something filthy.
"Since when did I have such a useless younger brother?"
His voice was calm, every word laced with venom.
Zachary’s throat tightened.
He was no stranger to Ethan’s sharp tongue.
But what stung more was the little girl’s whisper from nearby: "Bad... bad man."
Emma immediately hid behind Sophia at the sight of him.
"What did you call me? I’m your elder! Where are your manners?"
Zachary had no affection for his niece.
His original plan had been to use the mute girl to manipulate Ethan—setting traps from the competition to the kidnapping.
Yet by some twist of fate, Emma had regained her voice.
A complete failure.
Zachary clenched his fists, fury burning in his chest.
This was outright humiliation.
"I was just showing concern."
He forced another smile, shifting his attack to Ethan’s weakness.
"I heard big brother has found someone special. Came to see for myself. So it’s Miss Sullivan—gentle temperament, but such a lowly background. Fine for a fling, I suppose."
His eyes raked over Sophia with contempt.
Jealousy churned inside him.
How could a cripple like Ethan deserve such beauty?
Then he twisted the knife further: "But Father would never let her into the family."
Malice dripped from his words.
"I’m just being honest, Miss Sullivan. Don’t take it to heart. The Sullivan standards are simply—"
He didn’t get to finish.
"Oh? I wasn’t aware Mr. Sullivan had such strict rules. Considering even someone like Amelia Sullivan was welcomed in."
Sophia lifted her gaze lazily.
Her soft laugh was like an ice pick to the heart.
"If I recall correctly, Young Master Zachary’s mother was once a mistress, wasn’t she? Compared to that, my background is spotless."
Her smile was sweet, her words lethal.
Watching Zachary’s face twist, she delivered the final blow: "If trash like you can strut around, old Mr. Sullivan’s judgment is truly questionable."
She hadn’t planned to engage.
But some people just asked for it.
Zachary’s jaw clenched. "Say that again!"
He had never been insulted like this.
Those he mocked either endured silently or begged for mercy.
Yet Sophia dared to retaliate—even mocking old Mr. Sullivan.
This was a slap to his face.
Sophia tilted her head, smiling. "Having trouble hearing? Let me repeat—you and your mother are stains on the Sullivan name. The fact that you’re still breathing is a miracle."
Her words were devastating.
Paired with an innocent expression: "Clear enough now? Or should I say it a third time?"
Zachary’s face contorted beyond recognition.
He wanted nothing more than to tear that smile apart.