The servants rushed forward, seizing Liza by the wrist, leaving faint red marks on her pale skin. Lady Edna, watching the scene unfold, couldn't hide her satisfaction. “Take her to Audrey’s room,” she commanded sternly. “She needs to apologize immediately!” Despite the rough treatment, Liza held her composure. Her back remained straight as she directed a cool, indifferent gaze toward Lady Edna. When no one was paying attention, a fine silver needle, almost invisible to the naked eye, slipped from her sleeve and pricked Lady Edna’s wrist ever so subtly. Lady Edna paused, momentarily distracted by an odd itch on her wrist, but dismissed it as trivial. Smirking, she cast a warning glance around the room. “If anyone dares to tell Gavin about today, there will be consequences.” Liza allowed herself a faint smirk as the servants pulled her toward Audrey’s room. Little did they know, this was all going according to her plan. Inside Audrey’s Room Madam Thelma greeted Liza with a mocking smile. “So, the mighty Miss Liza has finally caved in. I thought you were tougher than this. Yet here you are, ready to apologize.” Liza returned her gaze with a calm smile. “Yes, I’m here.” Her tone was unbothered, almost amused. After all, how else could she execute her plan without showing up in person? Madam Thelma hesitated, sensing something unusual. Her wrist suddenly felt sore and oddly warm. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if Liza was behind it. But with Liza standing a safe distance away, she quickly dismissed the thought. From inside the room, Audrey’s soft voice called out, “Aunt, what’s happening out there?” Madam Thelma’s lips curled into a grin as she replied loudly, “Liza is here to apologize to you!”Audrey’s voice faltered in apparent surprise. “What? Why did Miss Susanzacome? Didn’t I say there’s no need for an apology?” Liza remained silent but raised an eyebrow at the sheer pretense. No Gavin around, yet still keeping up appearances? she thought with mild amusement. Madam Thelma shoved Liza forward before turning to Audrey. “Do whatever you wish. I’ll leave the two of you to talk.” Once the door closed, Audrey’s demeanor shifted. The gentle, demure act vanished, replaced by a look of smug superiority. “Miss Susanza,” she began, her voice laced with condescension, “I never thought you’d actually lower yourself to apologize. It seems even someone like you can recognize when they’re outmatched.” Liza leaned back in a nearby chair, her posture casual. “Finally dropping the innocent act, I see,” she said with a faint smirk. Audrey bristled, her eyes narrowing. “Look at you! No class, no decorum—just as I expected from someone raised in the countryside. Do you really think you deserve to stand beside Brother Gavin? A man like him needs a cultured, sophisticated woman like me, not some backwater nobody.” She paused, her words dripping with venom. “You call yourself the eldest daughter of the Sinclair Family, but even they don’t want you. Your reputation is in shambles. What makes you think you have the right to compete with me for Brother Gavin’s affections?” It was undeniable that Audrey’s beauty was striking, but the bitterness and jealousy twisting her expression distorted it into something almost unrecognizable. The intensity of her envy made Liza wonder—what kind of spell did Gavin cast to make women like Audrey turn so obsessive and spiteful over him? Audrey’s patience snapped as she clenched her fists tightly. “Liza! I’m speaking to you. Can’t you hear me?!” Liza met her glare calmly, her voice steady and composed. “Miss Audrey, do you realize what your actions are portraying right now?”Audrey’s face darkened, her brows furrowing deeply. “What are you trying to imply?” Liza tilted her head slightly, her tone laced with subtle disdain. “From a moral perspective, you’re nothing more than a third party interfering in someone else’s marriage. I don’t know what Lady Edna might have told you, and I can’t guess why she’s so eager to introduce women to Gavin. First, it was Sophia; now it’s you. Could it be that Lady Edna herself has experience as a mistress and enjoys finding mistresses for her son?” Audrey’s face turned red with fury, her body trembling as she struggled to maintain her composure. “Liza! Don’t you dare insult Lady Edna! She’s only doing this because she cares about me!” Her voice grew louder, as if trying to convince herself as much as Liza. “And so what if you’re married to Gavin? That doesn’t mean I don’t have the right to chase after true love! If he leaves you for me, it’s only because I’m the better choice. You’d lose him because you weren’t capable of keeping him!” Liza chuckled softly, the sound light yet sharp, like a blade slicing through Audrey’s self-righteous words. It always amazed her how people like Audrey justified their behavior under the guise of “true love.” Did such a concept make every wrongdoing excusable? “Tell me, Liza,” Audrey sneered, her voice dripping with arrogance. “What do you even have to compete with me? I’m the only heir of the Torres Family, a position that carries weight and power. If Gavin marries me, he gains the support of the Torres Family—prestige, wealth, influence. But you? You’re just a country bumpkin. What can you possibly offer him? All you’ll do is drag him down and make him the laughingstock of high society!” Liza stared at her for a long moment, her calm exterior unwavering, though the flicker of disinterest in her eyes was unmistakable. Audrey’s tirade had effectively ended any desire Liza had to engage in this pointless argument. Conversations with unreasonable people were nothing but a waste of breath. Without saying a word, Liza’s fingers twitched slightly, and an invisible silver needle slipped seamlessly into Audrey’s skin. The needle was so thin that Audrey didn’t even notice the prick. Satisfied, Liza retrieved her needle and turned to leave the room, her movements unhurried and deliberate. She had no intention of staying any longer. After all, her purpose here was simple: to send a message. These people had spent far too long treating her like a pushover, and she wasn’t about to let that continue.