The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

"You're still making excuses!" the man bellowed, pointing a menacing finger at Thalassa.

"Ah!" Suddenly, as he pointed at Thalassa, Lysander lifted his cane and struck the man's hand, eliciting a cry of pain. The man quickly turned to Lysander, only to meet his icy glare. Swallowing his anger, the man bowed his head in a show of respect, unable to voice his fury.

Lysander's voice, deep and tinged with restrained anger, cut through the tension. "Whether or not she's behind the design, you weren't harmed. Why the rush to lay hands on her? What are you hiding? Who put you up to this?"

His words went straight to the heart of the matter.

The man who confronted Thalassa was a stranger to her, with no apparent reason to harbor such resentment over a mere design.

People are driven by their own interests. If someone threatens those, they become the enemy.

bidding stage yet, and this gentleman hadn't purchased anything from Thalassa. Did he really have a reason to be this enraged

by Lysander's sharp interrogation, the man stumbled over his words, his gaze darting around guiltily. "Look, Mr. Sinclair, what are you implying? I was just... standing up for what's right. Nobody sent me. I just can't stand seeing

protection, I'll... I'll just leave," the man said, bowing hastily before turning to leave as if fearing he'd be unable to

ordeal wasn't over; the mess still

stepped forward,

previously hostile crowd held their tongues,

gaze icy as it

for reasons she couldn't fathom, felt a shiver run down her spine. Thalassa seemed to carry a bit of Lysander's

tone, Thalassa demanded, "Give me the anklet in your hand, and hand over all

incensed. Who was Thalassa

laden with a pressure that no one else could muster. S~ᴇaʀᴄh

was being enveloped by a cold mist, Susan had no choice but

all her accessories and handed