Emily, standing beside him, drew in a sharp breath. Pauline's ears tingled at the iciness in his voice, a shiver coursing down her spine as she stared at the figure before her.
She blinked, certain she had misheard, but his piercing gaze didn't falter.
Her brow creased. "Are you... trying to dictate to me? You… wretch?" she spat, her voice laced with disbelief and contempt.
Emily's heart dropped violently in her chest. She stared at her mother in disbelief.
Did she really just call Lucian Sterling—a man who could crush this entire street with a single word… a wretch?
She could only draw one conclusion… she is seeking death.
Her gaze flitted from her mother to Lucian, unsure what to do next.
Taking a calming breath, she instinctively tugged at Lucian's sleeve, feeling the stormy aura already settling heavily around them.
Pauline's heart pounded in her chest, but she clenched her jaw, unwilling to back down.
