Mrs. Winston's pupils constricted violently.
She clutched her stinging cheek.
"How dare you hit me?"
Before the words fully left her mouth, an icy dread crawled up from her feet.
Sophia Sullivan advanced with measured steps.
Her gaze was glacial.
"Aunt Winston, your son and I are already divorced."
Each syllable fell like a hammer as she closed the distance.
Mrs. Winston retreated instinctively.
"Who I associate with is my business."
Sophia's voice remained eerily calm.
"As for your slander, consider this slap merciful."
Her eyes raked over Mrs. Winston's ashen face.
"Next time won't be so simple."
Ethan Sullivan stood at Sophia's side.
His dark eyes held midnight depths.
"Leave if you value your life."
The casual delivery sent chills down spines.
He didn't shield Sophia physically.
They both knew she needed no protection.
Mrs. Winston's fingers trembled.
The throbbing cheekbone screamed of humiliation.
She'd actually been intimidated by Sophia.
For that fleeting moment, the younger woman had seemed like a demon risen from hell.
Now, clarity brought only searing embarrassment.
Yet Ethan's presence stifled any retaliation.
The man radiated lethal energy.
Together, they resembled death's harbingers.
Chloe Evans intervened with perfect timing.
"Mother, don't upset yourself."
Her delicate fingers curled around Mrs. Winston's arm.
But resentment simmered beneath demure lashes.
Last night's gambling disaster had cost hundreds of millions.
Liam Winston now languished in a casino's custody after bailing her out.
She lifted tear-brimmed eyes to Sophia.
"Sophia, Liam's being held by the casino."
A practiced sob caught in her throat.
"We can't possibly cover the debt."
Her teeth worried her lower lip.
"Could you... speak to Chairman Valentine?"
Sophia's lips curved in cold amusement.
"And?"
The single word cut like honed steel.
"You expect me to finance your stupidity?"
The air crystallized with tension.
Mrs. Winston swallowed her fury.
"Sophia, you and Liam shared three years together."
Her smile strained at the edges.
"Haven't we always treated you well?"
Her posture turned pleading.
"I've never asked favors. Help him just this once."
Sophia remained impassive.
"The Winstons' affairs ended with our divorce."
Reality finally struck Mrs. Winston.
This steel-spined woman bore no resemblance to her former docile daughter-in-law.
Desperation clawed at her throat.
"My behavior earlier was unacceptable."
The forced smile hurt more than the slap.
Never had she debased herself like this.
"Chloe mentioned your... substantial winnings last night."
The mention of billions made her jaw ache.
How could this orphan amass such wealth?
She drew a shaky breath.
"The sum means nothing to you now."
The words tasted like ash.
"For old times' sake, won't you show mercy?"
More than her son's freedom was at stake.
The Winston name would become a laughingstock if this scandal spread.