Darren Crosier tilted his head back, his nostrils flaring arrogantly.
He shouted at the top of his lungs.
"But I'm feeling generous today. If you kneel and apologize now, I might let you off the hook."
The shameless words rolled off his tongue with absolute confidence.
Backed by his uncle's influence, he felt invincible.
Chloe Evans immediately chimed in with syrupy sweetness.
"Mr. Crosier is truly magnanimous. Such grace is admirable."
She turned to Sophia Sullivan, feigning concern.
"Sophia, since Mr. Crosier is offering, why don't you just swallow your pride?"
She lowered her voice deliberately.
"Escalating this won't benefit anyone."
Mrs. Winston seized the opportunity to intervene.
"Chloe's right. We were once family, after all."
Despite their recent falling out, she and Chloe now presented a united front.
"Making a scene would embarrass everyone. Just apologize to Mr. Crosier."
Emboldened by their powerful ally, she spoke with newfound authority.
Sophia's icy gaze swept over them.
"I never realized you two had skin thicker than castle walls."
Mrs. Winston's face darkened instantly.
As a society matron, she wasn't accustomed to such insults.
"Sophia Sullivan, don't mistake our kindness for weakness."
She ground her teeth.
"This is Deer Mountain Resort - not some back alley where you can act recklessly!"
Isabella Robinson's sharp eyes locked onto Mrs. Winston.
She gave the older woman a thorough once-over.
A mocking smile curled her lips.
"How amusing. Some people forget their place the moment they borrow someone else's influence."
Isabella called her out directly.
"Wouldn't you agree, Mrs. Winston?"
Against true power, such petty schemes were laughable.
Mrs. Winston trembled with suppressed rage.
Daring not to offend the Robinson family, she bit back her retort.
Isabella leaned against Sophia's shoulder triumphantly.
"How was that, Soph?"
Sophia chuckled.
"As sharp as ever."
Isabella lifted her chin.
"Of course. I never tolerate trash."
Chloe's eyes burned with envy.
Despite years of social climbing, she remained an outsider in elite circles.
The society ladies maintained polite facades while sneering behind her back.
When Liam Winston fell from grace, her so-called friends vanished instantly.
This world only worshipped success.
Yet Sophia always found powerful allies.
Not just Ethan Sullivan's protection, but even Isabella's rare favor.
Mrs. Winston seethed with resentment.
A socialite veteran, she understood connections were everything.
She couldn't help reproaching Chloe.
"Why can't you be more like Sophia and make useful friends?"
Her disdain was palpable.
Chloe's cheeks burned with humiliation.
Isabella overheard and wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Some toads still dream of catching swans."
She rolled her eyes unabashedly.
"With your behavior, anyone associated would be cursed!"
Chloe shook with rage.
She prayed Deer Mountain's manager would arrive soon.
Rumors said Mr. Blanchet fiercely protected his own.
Those who crossed him paid dearly.
Darren's injuries were severe.
With careful provocation, this fire would surely consume Sophia!
Just then, an engine roared in the distance.
"Darren, what trouble have you stirred now?"
Frederick Blanchet's authoritative voice cut through the tension.
His arrival commanded immediate attention.
The crowd parted instinctively before the seasoned businessman's imposing presence.
Seeing his savior, Darren nearly wept.
"Uncle Fred! Thank God you're here!"
He scrambled forward pathetically.
Pointing at Sophia's group, he whined.
"They ganged up on me! If this weren't your territory, they'd have beaten me senseless!"
While tattling, he shot Sophia a triumphant look.
"Now that my uncle's here, begging won't save you!"
Frederick's frown deepened, silencing the crowd.
Chloe seized the moment, her voice trembling artistically.
"Mr. Blanchet, please don't blame Sophia. It's our fault for owing debts that upset her."
She sniffled dramatically.
"Mr. Crosier was just mediating when Mr. Sullivan attacked him..."
Frederick's expression darkened at his nephew's bruised face.
"What exactly happened here?"