Sloane shot him a proud look. "What, aren’t you jealous?" Lucas took her hand calmly, a confident smile curving his lips. "Why would I be jealous?" His long fingers traced her fingertips, his voice low and gentle. "Victor only saw you at the wheel—fierce and fearless. I’ve seen you with sleepless eyes over a patient, seen you bent over formulas in the dead of night…" Shawn clapped a hand to his chest in exaggerated disgust. "Oh my God, that’s unbearably cheesy!" Lucas didn’t blink. He kept watching Sloane. "More than that, I know you like two lemon slices in your medicinal tea. I know when you’re nervous you touch your earlobe without thinking…" He lowered his voice. "And I know your ears flush every time you’re shy—just like now." Sure enough, Sloane’s ear tips flushed a vivid red. She snapped, "Who’s shy?" Shawn gaped. "Mr. Hawthorne, have you maxed out your romance skill tree or what?"Lucas straightened his cuff with a faint smile. "These aren’t sweet lines. They’re facts." He turned to Sloane, eyes warm and resolute. "So I’m confident—no one knows you better and no one will cherish you more." "Shawn!" Beth’s voice cut in from behind, making Shawn jump. She strode over and slapped the top of his head. "Who told you it was okay to take Sloane racing? Do you know how dangerous that is?" "Aunt!" Shawn whined, clutching his head. "It was Sloane who was crazier than me—didn’t you see her drift—" "Don’t you dare argue!" Beth raised her hand again, but Sloane quickly stepped between them. "It’s not Shawn’s fault. He meant well—he only wanted to get her out for some fresh air. We ran into that lunatic Victor." Beth let her hand drop and checked Sloane over, worry in her touch. "You’re not hurt, right? Don’t go near those reckless rich kids and their stupid games again." "I’m fine," Sloane replied obediently. "Sorry to make you worry." Shawn muttered under his breath, "You guys are so two-faced—""What did you say?" Beth shot him a look. "Nothing, nothing!" Shawn waved his hands frantically. Beth’s eyes narrowed. "Victor? Carl’s son?" "Y-yes," Shawn stammered. Seeing the expression on his aunt’s face, he knew trouble was brewing—and he couldn’t suppress a grin. "Aunt," Shawn seized the moment and fanned the flames, "that kid was way too arrogant! He provoked us, tried to cheat after losing, and now he’s asking around about Sloane—he’s insufferable. You’ve got to teach him a lesson." Beth lifted her teacup with a cool smile, lips curving into something that might have been a warning. "The Carl family?" She sipped. "Merely nouveau riche speculators. They have no right to be insolent in front of the Oliver family." She set down her cup; the porcelain chimed crisply. "Shawn, tell Mr. Carl that if his son dares bother Sloane again…" She raised her eyes; a cold light flashed. "I won’t hesitate to put an end to their business in Mirevia." Shawn pumped his fist, thrilled. "Aunt Beth is awesome!"