Sophia Sullivan's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"Marital affection?" She shook her head lightly. "There's nothing left between Liam Winston and me."
Not just Liam.
During her three years in the Winston family, she'd served her in-laws diligently without complaint.
Yet on divorce day, Mrs. Winston had dined with Chloe Evans while having Sophia's belongings thrown out without notice.
"Sophia, the Winstons did wrong by you." Mrs. Winston suppressed her anger, softening her tone. "But Mr. Winston Sr. always treated you well."
Sophia remained expressionless.
Mrs. Winston trembled with rage but kept pleading.
"If anything happens to Liam, the shock could kill the old man. Could you bear that?"
She dabbed dry eyes theatrically.
"He's too old for such turmoil."
Sophia watched the performance coldly, amused.
The ever-proper Mrs. Winston was resorting to melodrama to manipulate her.
Too bad Sophia wasn't buying it.
She laughed softly.
"Really?" Sophia met her gaze sharply. "Yet I heard Mr. Winston left for vacation abroad. He didn't even ask about the casino incident."
Mrs. Winston faltered.
The old man had indeed given up on Liam.
But she wouldn't leave empty-handed.
With sudden drama, Mrs. Winston dropped to her knees.
"Sophia, if not for the old man, then for me! Save Liam!" She wailed. "He's young, bound to make mistakes..."
Deer Mountain swarmed with tourists.
Surely public pressure would break Sophia's composure.
Chloe caught the cue and knelt too.
"Sophia, you have time for dates but not for family?" Her voice quivered tearfully. "Mrs. Winston has heart problems—this stress could kill her!"
Mrs. Winston clutched her chest dramatically.
"After three years in our home, how could you—"
Chloe feigned panic, supporting her.
"Mother! Don't scare me like this!"
Their act drew stares.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
"Why's an elder kneeling to a young woman?"
"That lady looks ill—how heartless!"
"Someone check on them!"
...
Ethan Sullivan lifted icy eyes.
"Mrs. Winston." His voice chilled. "If spectacle's your aim, there are simpler ways."
He nodded toward waiting black-suited figures.
"My men stand ready."
Stepping forward, his gaze pierced like winter steel.
Danger radiated from him.