ery. Fear still sat in her stomach like a block of ice, yet it was sl

e was low, but carried a tremor and stren

rs, pleading, or surrender, but this response had never crossed h

ingers suddenly tightened around her chin, forcing her to raise

nched teeth, she spoke each word carefully and clearly, every syllable edged with anger and humiliation. "W

ment, he was caught off guard. But in the next second, his cold arrogance returned. He could

intention so obvious th

e suddenly turned her head aside and drove her

uncontrolled. His hand loosened from he

out hesitation. Her palm landed hard against his cheek, and the sharp crack o

almost suffocating stil

one had ever dared to touch him, much less strike him like this. Slowly, he lifted a hand and to

ned his head and l

ght. What burned inside them was not calculation or deceit, but pure and genuine anger and humili

e, this was the first time Julian had seen

it felt as though it might burst through her chest. She had just slapped Julian Montgomery IV. She had already prepare

w, husky chuckle slowly escaped from his chest. There was no amusement in that sound. Instead, it carried

ly. "You have more spirit th

and straightened his tie, as though the person who had briefly lost control moments ago had not been him

Just remember your identity and your place. Stay invisible, and don't try my patience aga

r another glance. He simply turned an

t her body. It took her quite some time before she managed to steady h

le, while her seat had been placed at the opposite end, so far away that it felt as though they belonged to two different worlds. The moment she sat down, she noticed that the butler and servants

etail of the estate's daily operations-stood a few steps behind Julian's chair, quietly supervising

efly on her worn shoes, and then moved away with a faint tightening at the corner of

ave no

ly, her back perfectly str