"That's enough!"
Old Master Blackwood's voice cracked through the hallway like thunder. My entire body jolted, and even Maya froze mid-expression, her smirk vanishing.
Amelia, however, stumbled backward as if physically struck by the cold authority radiating from the old man.
"I'll have you know," Elias Blackwood said, his words sharp and controlled, "that only my grandson can choose who he wishes to spend his life with."
His cold eyes locked onto Amelia. "And tell Grace… to stop meddling in her son's life."
He didn't shout. He didn't need to. His quiet fury was far more terrifying.
He lifted his hand, and gestured to the bodyguards behind.
"Take her away."
"No—no—!" Amelia shrieked as the guards gripped her by both arms. "Let me go! Alexander, I love you! You can't do this to me! I am your fiancée!"
The whole hallway went silent.
Alexander turned his face away from her — not in guilt, not in hesitation, but in disgust. As if looking at her any longer might stain him.
