Isabella Valentine emerged from the spa wrapped in a bathrobe, her damp hair dripping.

Her right leg dragged slightly as she walked.

Their eyes locked across the room.

Sophia Laurent averted her gaze without expression.

Isabella gasped theatrically, covering her mouth. "Well, well. If it isn't the famous Miss Laurent?"

She turned to the receptionist with a sneer. "When did this place lower its standards? Even country bumpkins can waltz in now?"

The receptionist blinked in confusion. "Miss Valentine, what do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Isabella scoffed. "Does this peasant deserve the same aesthetician as me?"

Sophia's fingers twitched.

She grabbed a glass from the table and flipped her wrist.

Crack!

The shattered glass exploded at Isabella's feet, shards scattering.

Isabella shrieked and jumped back. "Are you insane?"

"The insane one is you," Sophia's voice cut like ice.

Isabella lunged with claws outstretched. "You bitch!"

Just as Sophia reached for her bag, a whirlwind figure charged forward.

Iris Evans seized Isabella by the hair and dragged her into the restroom.

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

The receptionist stamped her feet in panic. "Miss Evans! Please stop!"

Muffled thuds echoed from inside.

"Country bumpkin?" Iris's voice dripped venom. "Let me show you what a real country girl's fists feel like!"

Isabella's sobs came in broken gasps. "Let me go... I'll call the police..."

"Go ahead!" Iris laughed coldly. "Let them see the Valentine heiress's true colors!"

Ten minutes later, Iris emerged flexing her hand.

Sophia offered a wet wipe. "Feel better?"

Iris grinned. "Damn right."

The trembling receptionist tried pushing a membership package.

Sophia glanced toward the restroom and shook her head. "No thanks."

In the elevator, Iris massaged her wrist. "I've hated that 'country bumpkin' crap since childhood."

Sophia gently squeezed her hand.

They'd barely stepped outside when a shrill voice pierced the air.

Victoria Windsor charged out, her face slick with oil. "Stop right there!"

Two hulking bodyguards flanked her.

Sophia's security team immediately formed a barrier.

Victoria seethed. "How dare you touch my daughter? You're not leaving!"

She raised her hand to strike—

Sophia whipped out a spray bottle.

Pssht!

Victoria clawed at her face. "Ah! It burns! What did you spray?"

"Special formula," Sophia said coolly as Victoria scratched her own skin raw. "No antidote. The itch lasts forever."

Victoria lunged like a rabid animal—

A tall figure materialized between them.

Ethan Sullivan's leg shot out.

Victoria flew backward like a ragdoll, crashing onto the pavement.

Sophia's eyes lit up. "Ethan!"

Ethan shielded her, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Get lost."