Susan, born into an ordinary family, had always harbored ambitions of breaking into high society. She had studied the faces of prominent figures endlessly through photos and gossip but had never seen this man before. In her mind, if he wasn’t instantly recognizable, he couldn’t possibly be someone important. Her confidence surged as she remembered her boyfriend’s status as the young master of the Ashton family. With false bravado, she shouted, “Who do you think you are to kick me like that? I’ll make you pay for this!” Before she could finish her tirade, a loud smack echoed through the room. Jason had raised his hand and delivered a hard slap across her face. His expression was grim, his entire body trembling as he gritted his teeth. “Shut up!” His mind raced in panic. Gavin? Jason couldn’t believe his eyes. Liza had arrived with Henry, so why was Gavin here as well? Was he just coincidentally in the same place, or was he here for something more? Gavin’s piercing gaze dropped to Susan, cold and unyielding. His voice was steady yet commanding as he spoke. “Liza is my wife. A mere mistress of a nobody is not even worth comparing to her.” Susan froze in shock. Her mind struggled to process what had just happened. She glanced at Jason, hoping for some kind of explanation, but all she saw was the fear in his eyes. The color drained from Jason’s face. Gavin’s words had cut deeply, and he knew exactly who was being insulted. The ‘nobody’ and his mistress—it’s us. Despite the humiliation, Jason didn’t dare argue. He swallowed his pride, bowing slightly as he tried to salvage the situation. “President Gavin,” he began nervously, “what brings you here?” The crowd’s collective breath hitched at the title. President Gavin? The realization sent a ripple of unease through everyone present. Gavin’s brow arched slightly. “Do I owe you an explanation for where I go?” The weight of those words made Jason’s knees feel weak. His forehead broke out in a cold sweat, and he stammered, “No, no, that’s not what I meant… You’ve misunderstood, I—” Jason had always enjoyed the benefits of being Alora’s cousin. Her connection with Gavin had earned him a measure of respect in social circles. But now, standing before the man himself, all his usual confidence crumbled. Never had he been so thoroughly humiliated. Gavin’s sharp, icy gaze pinned Jason in place. “Did I hear you say my wife isn’t even fit to be your mistress?” Jason’s throat went dry. He stammered, “I… I didn’t know she was your wife. If I had known, I’d never have spoken out of turn. Please, President Gavin, forgive me…” Gavin’s expression didn’t waver. His tone was even but laced with disdain. “So, your ignorance is her fault? You’re telling me that because she didn’t announce her identity, you thought it was acceptable to disrespect her?”Jason struggled to find words, but Gavin cut him off. “Don’t tell me Alora never informed you that Liza is my wife,” Gavin added, his voice low and menacing. The accusation landed hard, and Jason felt his chest tighten. Before he could muster a reply, Henry, who had been silent until now, spoke up with a puzzled expression. “Wait a second. Sister Alora knows perfectly well that Liza and my brother are married. If she didn’t tell you, how did you find out about Liza? And how do you know about her connection to my brother?” Jason froze, his mind racing. The truth began to unravel. Could Alora have deliberately misled me? he wondered. Or worse, had he allowed himself to jump to conclusions, believing Liza to be someone she wasn’t? Jason’s face turned ashen, and his legs buckled beneath him. Overwhelmed by fear, he collapsed to his knees in front of Gavin, trembling uncontrollably. Gavin hadn’t moved a muscle. He simply stood there, his imposing aura radiating power and control. His silent presence was enough to make even the bravest cower in terror. Jason’s thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. Gavin, of all people, caring about a woman? It was hard to believe. This was the same man who had been indifferent to Alora, someone from a respectable family. How could he possibly care for someone like Liza? Does she have some kind of hold over him? Jason wondered, his disbelief laced with desperation. Suddenly, a soft, hesitant voice interrupted the tense atmosphere. “Cousin? Susan? What’s going on here… Gavin?” Alora appeared, her delicate figure moving gracefully toward the group. Her tone carried surprise, though her wide-eyed expression seemed carefully composed. Her gaze darted from the scene before her—Jason and Susan kneeling—to Gavin’s commanding figure. “Gavin, what are you doing here?” she asked gently. “And why are my cousin and Susan on the ground like this?” Jason scrambled toward her as if she were his last lifeline. “Sister Alora, please! You have to speak on my behalf!” he pleaded, his voice shaking. Alora glanced at her cousin, then at Susan, before her eyes settled on Liza. A flicker of something unreadable crossed her face before she stepped forward, her expression soft and composed. She stopped in front of Liza and spoke in a soothing tone, as though trying to mediate. “Liza, whatever happened, I’m sure it was a misunderstanding. My cousin and Susan must have made a mistake, and Susan’s dress is ruined now. We’re all acquaintances here. Could we just let this go? I’ll have them pack up, and we’ll leave immediately.” Jason nodded vigorously, his relief evident as he clung to Alora’s words like a lifeline. Liza, however, remained unmoved. She glanced down at Jason’s groveling form, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.Weren’t you full of bravado just a moment ago? Didn’t you want to keep arguing and showing off? And now, the instant Gavin appears, you’re groveling on the floor like a coward? How pathetic. Alora’s calm demeanor didn’t fool Liza. She knew better. Alora had been lurking in the shadows, watching everything unfold before deciding to step in and play the role of a peacekeeper. “We’re all acquaintances”? Liza thought, biting back a bitter laugh. She was about to reply when Gavin’s cool, measured voice broke the silence. “Miss Alora,” he began, his tone polite but distant, “we are not friends.” Alora’s composed expression faltered for the briefest moment, a flicker of shock crossing her face. Gavin’s gaze was piercing as he continued, his voice steady but firm. “Even if you were my friend, no one has the right to mistreat my wife. And since we are not friends, the question doesn’t even arise.”The weight of his words settled over the room, leaving no room for further argument.