At that moment Liam's face tightened the moment Chloe's words sank in. His hands balled into fists at his side, but he didn't speak immediately. He just stared at her, eyes narrowed, breathing slow—controlled rage pulsing beneath the surface.
Then Maria blinked at her daughter like she had just slapped her across the face.
"What did you just say, Chloe?" she asked, her voice sharper than usual. "How can you talk about Liam like that? Does he look like someone who can't silence a room?"
However Chloe didn't answer. Her gaze was heavy, distant, as if she wasn't even here.
Immediately Maria shook her head.
"You're letting that girl get into your head. Since when did we start comparing ourselves to someone like Valentina?"
Liam finally stepped forward. "No, no—let her talk," he said coldly, staring at Chloe. "It seems whatever Valentina did to her yesterday was serious. Now I'm really curious."
He crouched slightly, lowering his tone.
