Liza’s expression turned icy, her patience wearing thin. Where did this ridiculous man come from? she thought. And what was he saying about “her man”? Was he actually referring to Gavin? The situation had escalated, drawing unwanted attention. The restaurant staff scrambled to diffuse the tension, clearing the area and apologizing profusely to nearby customers. Within minutes, only the staff and the three individuals involved remained. Susan’s demeanor shifted dramatically. Feigning surprise, she exclaimed, “Oh, I didn’t realize she was connected to your friend. I’m so sorry! Maybe we should just let it go…” But before she could continue, Jason cut her off. His tone was sharp and commanding. “Let it go? Why should we? She humiliated you—should I just stand by and allow that? She’s nothing but a gold-digging mistress! You’re my girlfriend, and you don’t need to lower yourself for someone like her.” He turned to Liza, his voice dripping with mock authority. “Besides, Miss Liza, let’s not forget that I’ve known your man since we were kids. We may have lost touch over the years, but there’s still a bond of friendship between us.” Straightening his posture, he barked, “Apologize to my girlfriend, now!” Jason smirked, clearly enjoying the perceived upper hand. So what if Liza is with Gavin? he thought smugly. I know Gavin well enough to say he’s indifferent to most women. If he didn’t care about someone like Alora, he definitely doesn’t care about this woman. His mind raced with self-congratulatory thoughts. For him, this wasn’t just about protecting Susan. His pride and reputation were on the line. If word got out that he allowed his girlfriend to be insulted, it would be a blemish on his image. When Liza didn’t immediately respond, Jason assumed she was intimidated. His arrogance grew as he sneered, “It’s obvious you can’t afford to pay for the dress. I’m giving you a chance to resolve this peacefully—apologize, and I’ll consider the matter closed. I won’t make things harder for you.” Susan covered her mouth, her laughter barely restrained. “Miss Liza,” she said mockingly, “it must be hard being a mistress. Don’t worry about compensating me. Just offer a sincere apology, and I’ll let it go. After all, you did ruin my dress.” Liza felt a surge of anger but couldn’t help the bitter chuckle that escaped her lips. Mistress? she thought. She quickly pieced the situation together. Jason had likely aligned himself with Alora. Whether he was her relative or just a loyal supporter, his motivations were clear—he was here to defend Alora’s bruised pride. Jason’s expression turned more menacing as he stepped closer. “What’s wrong, Miss Liza?” he taunted. “If you refuse to apologize, don’t blame me for being cruel. At that point, forget about being anyone’s mistress—you won’t even have that chance.” The restaurant staff watched nervously, too afraid to intervene. The air grew thick with tension, and Liza finally broke the silence with a cold laugh. “Mr. Jason,” she said, her voice smooth but laced with sarcasm, “you certainly seem confident in your abilities.” She tilted her head slightly, her tone sharp. “It’s strange, though—I can’t recall any prominent family in Li City with the surname Ashton. Oh, wait… the Clint family went bankrupt years ago, didn’t they? Their entire clan relocated overseas. And as far as I know, the Clint family does have in-laws with the surname Ashton. Could it be that you’re one of them?” She let out a mock gasp, her eyes glinting with feigned realization. “So the esteemed ‘Mr. Jason’ is fresh back from overseas? How impressive!” Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and an awkward silence enveloped the room. Jason’s smirk faltered as her cutting remarks struck a nerve. The confidence he’d displayed moments earlier began to crumble, leaving him visibly uneasy. Liza’s sharp revelation about Jason’s true background landed like a thunderclap. The room fell silent, and Jason’s face darkened with rage. “You wretch!” he spat through gritted teeth. Susan, clearly rattled, stepped forward, her voice rising in fury. “Who do you think you are, huh? Aren’t you just some shameless mistress? If it weren’t for that man supporting you, you’d probably be throwing yourself at anyone who’d have you! Jason’s offering you a way out, and you dare act ungrateful?” Jason gave a curt nod, his expression softening slightly at Susan’s defense. But Liza didn’t flinch. Instead, a sly smile tugged at her lips as she let out a soft, mocking laugh. Her tone turned cutting, each word sharper than the last. “ Miss Susan, I don’t remember asking for your opinion. Why are you so eager to jump in and make a scene?” she said, her voice laced with disdain. Her gaze flickered over Susan, her eyes cold and unforgiving. “You claim to be Mr. Jason’s girlfriend, but isn’t it strange how often I’ve seen you with other men? Could it be that you’re the one living as someone’s mistress? Must be exhausting, juggling so many men every day.” Susan’s face drained of color, her horror unmistakable. The confidence she had flaunted moments ago shattered like fragile glass. The murmurs in the room grew louder. People exchanged curious and suspicious glances, their eyes darting between Liza and Susan. Was Susan really not Jason’s girlfriend? Overwhelmed by anger and humiliation, Susan’s composure cracked entirely. “You liar!” she shrieked, her voice trembling. “You’re the one who’s a mistress! Don’t you dare accuse me of anything!” Her eyes filled with rage as she lunged toward Liza, her hands outstretched like claws. “I’ll tear you apart!” But before Susan could even come close, a sudden force intervened. A sharp kick landed squarely on Susan, sending her flying across the room. She crashed onto the floor with a loud thud, a pained cry escaping her lips as she lay sprawled, trembling from the impact. The room froze in stunned silence, and then a commanding voice echoed through the air. “Who dares to call her a mistress?” All heads turned toward the source of the voice. A man strode forward, his presence commanding attention with every step. His steady gait, coupled with the unshakable confidence in his demeanor, radiated an aura of power. It was Gavin. His calm expression masked a storm of icy disdain as his piercing gaze swept over the crowd. When his eyes finally landed on Susan, they darkened dangerously, holding an intensity that seemed to pierce through her very soul. Susan’s body tensed under the weight of his gaze. Her earlier bravado evaporated, replaced by an overwhelming wave of fear. The coldness in Gavin’s eyes was suffocating, and she could feel the strength drain from her legs.