Sophia Sullivan's voice came from behind.
Laced with amusement.
"Time to honor our bet?"
Vincent Lowell froze.
He turned slowly.
Sophia stood there with a smile.
It looked gentle.
But carried undeniable authority.
Vincent instinctively glanced at Liam Winston.
"Mr. Winston..."
Liam merely frowned.
He stayed silent.
With Mr. Winston Sr. present,
no one dared act recklessly.
Liam's gaze shifted to Sophia.
His expression was complicated.
For three years,
he'd believed Sophia was a gold-digger.
Now, the truth humiliated him.
Chloe Evans tried to mediate.
"We're all friends here. No need for this drama..."
Ethan Sullivan cut her off coldly.
"Planning to renege too, Ms. Evans?"
Chloe clenched her teeth.
She'd once hoped to get close to Ethan.
Now, that dream was dead.
The man had no tact.
David Macmillan and others looked confused.
The butler explained.
"Mr. Lowell and Ms. Sullivan had a wager..."
After hearing the details,
David's face darkened.
"A bet is a bet."
He turned to Vincent.
"Honor your word."
The meaning was clear—
kneel and apologize.
Vincent balled his fists.
His knees felt like lead.
He was up for promotion.
Public humiliation would ruin his career.
Straightening his back,
Vincent chose defiance.
"That was just a joke. Must you take it seriously? Fine, I underestimated you. Sorry."
His tone was dismissive.
No sincerity whatsoever.
Sophia arched a brow.
"Me taking it seriously?"
If she'd been serious,
she'd never have accepted the bet.
Vincent jutted his chin.
"You're younger. Forcing an elder to kneel—isn't that excessive?"
He gambled on her backing down.
Sophia laughed.
"You proposed kneeling and calling me 'grandma.'"
Her eyes turned icy.
"Didn't expect Mr. Lowell to be a coward."
The insult ignited Vincent's rage.
He spun to leave.
"You can't make me!"
The team exchanged glances.
No one moved.
They knew Vincent was wrong.
But as their leader,
they couldn't openly oppose him.
David spoke again, stern.
"Vincent, apologize!"
Vincent gathered his tools.
"Master Macmillan, this is between us. Stay out of it. I'll consult you another time."
He was determined to cheat.
David's expression froze.
"I'm disappointed."
He stared at Vincent.
"Since when does seniority trump skill in our field? Since when do liars get called masters?"
Turning to Sophia,
his voice softened.
"Don't worry, Ms. Sullivan. I'll see justice done."