Liza adjusted her posture, reclining gracefully on the sofa. She reached for her teacup and took a slow sip, her expression calm and indifferent, as if Serena’s words had no weight whatsoever. Brandon’s frown deepened. Although something about Serena’s tone struck him as off, he couldn’t bring himself to doubt her intentions. In his eyes, Serena was always the epitome of gentleness and kindness. He assumed she spoke up for the benefit of this woman, yet the woman showed no gratitude. Instead, she seemed dismissive and arrogant, which fueled his irritation. Serena, risking the wrath of the Stone Family head, had attempted to offer this woman a warning. But how had the woman responded? With disdain and indifference, as though Serena’s efforts were beneath her notice. The behavior grated on Brandon’s nerves. His tone grew cold as he demanded, “Who are you? I’m the young master of the Stone Family, and I’ve never seen you before. Let me warn you for the last time: the head of the Stone Family does not tolerate uninvited guests. If you don’t leave immediately, you’ll have to face the consequences!” This time, Liza reacted. Resting her chin on her hand, she parted her red lips slightly, her voice carrying a touch of mockery. “Oh? Face the consequences? And what consequences might those be?” Her delicate fingers reached for a pastry on the coffee table. Picking it up, she took a bite, her gaze steady and filled with a teasing allure. As she ate, her eyes locked on Brandon, as though she were genuinely curious about his answer. Brandon found himself momentarily stunned by her sudden change in demeanor. His mind blanked, and he failed to respond. Standing nearby, Serena clenched her skirt tightly in frustration. How could her Brandon, the man she had always admired, be captivated by this woman? Rage and jealousy bubbled within her. Liza’s pink tongue flicked across her finger, cleaning away a trace of the dessert. Her lips curved into a playful smile, and soft laughter escaped her. “Hmm? Gavin,” she called out sweetly, “why don’t you tell me—what happens to uninvited guests?” At her words, all eyes shifted to Gavin. He stood tall and imposing, his expression calm and unreadable. The simplicity of his black shirt only emphasized his sharp features and piercing gaze. Brandon and Serena both turned instinctively to look at him. Serena’s heart skipped a beat, and a faint blush crept across her cheeks. So this was the head of the Stone Family. He wasn’t just powerful and wealthy—he was breathtakingly handsome. Her mind raced as she compared Gavin to every man she’d ever met. None came close. Even Brandon, whom she had once thought of as flawless, seemed ordinary in comparison. Before she could claim Gavin’s attention, Serena knew she had to deal with the irritating woman who stood in her way. Though she had no idea where this woman in sunglasses had come from, it hardly mattered. Anyone bold enough to address Gavin so casually, even daring to call him by his name, was clearly overstepping and would soon meet their downfall.Steeling herself, Serena took a step closer and offered Gavin a soft, practiced smile. Her voice was laced with sweetness as she said, “Master, please don’t be upset. I was only trying to remind this lady to leave the villa, but she didn’t heed my advice. Although she acted impulsively by entering without your permission, perhaps we could give her another chance? Let’s not have the servants throw her out just yet.” Gavin paused mid-step, his sharp gaze settling on Serena. Feeling the weight of his attention, Serena lowered her head demurely, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. She dared to sneak a glance at his striking profile, her heart fluttering. “Master, I hope I’m not troubling you,” she added softly. “You’ve always disliked women who impose on you, but as a woman, I couldn’t bear to see her treated too harshly. Could we consider letting her go this time?” The living room fell into an eerie silence. The stillness was so profound that even the faintest sound would have echoed. From the moment Serena began speaking, the butler had been eyeing her with a mix of disbelief and amusement. Was her mind functioning properly? She shared the Sinclair family name with Madam, yet their intelligence seemed worlds apart. Unaware of the butler’s inner criticism, Serena felt confident in her performance. Surely, Gavin would commend her for her thoughtfulness. But as the seconds dragged on and no response came, an uneasy realization dawned upon her. Why hadn’t Gavin acted? Why wasn’t he telling this woman to leave? A flicker of doubt crept into her thoughts. Could it be that her approach had been too polished, too elegant, and Gavin found it hard to dismiss the other woman rudely? That couldn’t be true… Could it? If that were the case, Serena felt as though she might choke on her frustration. All she wanted was for Gavin to command the immediate removal of this unwelcome intruder. Finally, she mustered the courage to lift her gaze, only to find herself staring directly into Gavin’s eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, but not from excitement—his gaze was cold, distant, and filled with irritation. No, this couldn’t be right. How could he possibly dislike her? She was the very picture of beauty, kindness, and grace. No man could resist her charms. Something must be amiss. Perhaps her gesture of speaking on behalf of another woman had been misinterpreted?