Kylie had expected the outburst. She didn't even flinch when the call erupted into a wall of voices.Instead, she calmly set the phone on the tea table, propped it against a small ornament, and sat back with the poise of someone enjoying a quiet afternoon tea, not a verbal onslaught from three grown men.
Her sons were in full bombardment mode, firing questions over one another, not giving her a single breath to answer.
Then Noah's voice cut through, cooler and sharper than the rest. "Mom, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Go to bed early. Good night."
Before anyone could react, he ended the call on his side. Silence fell for a brief, stunned beat.
Kylie was the first to speak. "Calm down, boys. Lia isn't a small child."
"But she's only eighteen, Mom," Jack shot back.
"How could you let her stay with Ethan — a boy?" Hendry demanded, right on his brother's heels.
Kylie's gaze slid to Hendry, her tone turning pointed. "Then you would rather she live alone in an unfamiliar city than with someone we know?"
Hendry faltered. "Well… but still—"
"Nothing else," Kylie interrupted. "We know Ethan. And…" she let her eyes sharpen as she swept her gaze across all three of them, "Ethan is Lia's fiancé. Remember that."
The brothers froze.
"Mom—" Jack began, but the screen jolted as a large hand plucked the phone away.
Andrew's face appeared — calm but cold. "Enough. It's late. Go to bed. And let us have our rest too."Without waiting, he ended the call.
Kylie smiled at him. "Honey, what are you smiling at?" Andrew asked, raising a brow.
"Couldn't you talk to them for even a minute?" she teased.
He scoffed lightly. "So you can scold them later and complain to Lia about them? No thanks. I prefer to stay off their radar unless necessary."
"You only spoil your daughter," Kylie shook her head warmly, "and you do care for your sons, whether you admit it or not."
Andrew's reply was smooth and matter-of-fact. "Why waste a perfectly good worry on the boys, when I already have the sun that lights my days — my daughter — and the moon that rules my nights — my darling wife?"
"You're really something," Kylie laughed, poking him in the chest. "But remember — two daughters and a wife."
Andrew's expression softened. "As you say, my queen."He slipped an arm around her waist. "Now, let's go back to our room."
Kylie chuckled. "As you wish, my king."He raised his brows, kissed her forehead, and together they left the hall.
____________________
Later — Their Room
After changing, Kylie sat at her vanity, brushing her hair as part of her nightly routine. "Honey," she asked, "you really don't worry about Lia staying with Ethan like the boys do?"
Andrew, lounging on the bed with a book, lowered it halfway and sighed. "Of course I don't like my sweet girl staying with another man. Why would I? It's like giving my daughter to a wolf waiting for prey."
Kylie turned, genuinely surprised. "You think Ethan's like that?"
Andrew's voice stayed calm. "Didn't you notice? The moment Lia came back, Ethan understood and came straight for her. You think I enjoy giving my daughter away so early?"
"Then why are you calmer than our sons?" Kylie asked, still puzzled.
Andrew closed the book completely, his tone even. "Because Lia doesn't let anyone close easily. If she's with Ethan, it's because she chose to be. She wouldn't live with him just because he asked. Even without Jack's help, she could've gotten herself a private suite without blinking."
Realization lit Kylie's face. She stood suddenly, hopped onto the bed, and threw her arms around him, kissing his cheek. "That's my girl."
Andrew chuckled at her childish glee, though deep inside, the ache of seeing his daughter grow closer to another man still lingered.
____________________
Clover Hill — Past Midnight
After what felt like hours on the road, the two cars finally pulled up before a quiet villa.
Zara stepped out, looking up as Marcus approached with car keys in hand.
Before Marcus could say a word, Ethan spoke, his tone cool but not unkind. "Go freshen up and rest."
She nodded, then tossed the keys toward Marcus. He caught them smoothly.
"Thanks for the car, Marcus," she said with a small smile.
"You're always welcome, Lia. Just message me if you need anything," Marcus replied warmly.
Zara gave a simple nod and walked into the villa without looking back.
Ethan's gaze, however, lingered on Marcus — cold, assessing. Then his phone buzzed. A glance at the caller ID made a smirk curl at his lips.
Marcus noticed. "Why is Noah calling you at this hour?"
"Find out yourself," Ethan said, tossing the phone to him before heading inside.
Marcus frowned but answered. "Ethan, w*** t* h*** a** y** d*****?! C*** m* b***!"
The explosion of censored curses made him yank the phone away from his ear, eyes wide. Still stunned, he finally bolted into the villa, following the sound of his own confusion.
Inside, Ethan was setting a glass on the tea table and heading upstairs as if nothing were happening.
Marcus rushed over, offering the phone, but Ethan ignored him. The voice on the other end was loud enough to be heard without speaker mode — dripping with fury.
On the other end of the call, the person seemed to realize there was no response from this side and went silent.
Mason, thinking Noah had finally calmed down, sighed in relief and switched the phone to speaker mode. He had been holding his breath after hearing all those unexpected words spill through Ethan's phone—words he never imagined he'd hear in that tone that was pointed at Ethan.
But before that relief could settle in, a deafening roar exploded from the other end:"ETHAN!!! GET ON THE PHONE!!!"
Marcus jumped so hard the phone slipped from his hands. He fumbled, caught it, and shoved it at Ethan. "Leave me out of your mess."
He turned to go, but Ethan's hand shot out, gripping his collar and pulling him back.
Marcus stumbled. "Let me stay here. It's been so long since I spent time with Lia. I'll stay in a corner, won't disturb you." His eyes turned pleading, almost innocent.
Ethan's reply was ice. "Leave."
The chill in his voice made Marcus's shoulders tense. He muttered something under his breath, hoping Ethan wouldn't hear, and headed for the exit.
At the door, he turned and shouted, "Ethan, are you even a friend?! Kicking your friend out at this hour!"
With those final words hanging heavy in the air, he turned on his heel and strode out of the villa, not daring to glance back. Every instinct screamed at him to leave — to put as much distance as possible between himself and Ethan — because lingering any longer would mean facing the full, unrelenting force of Ethan's ruthlessness.