What is your reason?

Pauline's ears tingled at the iciness in his voice, a shiver coursing down her spine as she stared at the figure before her.

She blinked, certain she had misheard, but his piercing gaze didn't falter.

Her brow creased. "Are you... trying to dictate to me? You—wretch?" she spat, her voice laced with disbelief and contempt.

Scarlet's heart dropped violently in her chest. Did she really just call Lucian Sterling—a man who could crush this entire street with a single word—a wretch?

Her gaze flitted from her mother to Lucian, unsure what to do next.

Taking a calming breath, she instinctively tugged at Lucian's sleeve, feeling the stormy aura already settling heavily around them.

Pauline's heart pounded in her chest, but she clenched her jaw, unwilling to back down. She had made her decision, and no amount of cold glares or quiet power would sway her. Boss must return, and this farce of a marriage had to end. Scarlet must divorce him.

Lucian glanced at the delicate hand gripping his sleeve and quietly reined in his temper.

Scarlet stepped forward, her voice low but sharp.

"Mom… you can't just speak to people like that. One day, you'll offend someone you shouldn't." The last part came out as a whisper, more like a plea than a warning.

Pauline's eyes narrowed, her fury bubbling. "Scarlet! Are you talking to me like that? Watch how I deal with you!"

She stepped down the stairs hastily, intending to confront her daughter face-to-face—but then—

Her foot slipped.

Her arms flailed as she desperately tried to catch herself, her hands grasping at the air. A gasp tore through her lips as she braced herself for impact—

But the fall never came.

Instead, she felt a firm grip wrap around her wrist, steadying her mid-fall.

Shocked, she looked up—only to see Lucian holding her.

Her face contorted with disgust. Being caught by him? She would've preferred hitting the floor. The shame churned in her stomach like bile.

She yanked her hand free and straightened up stiffly, eyes blazing as she glared at both Scarlet and Lucian before turning sharply and storming into the house.

Lucian's lips tugged into a cold smirk. Scarlet sighed with visible relief and followed him in.

Inside, Ruby Winters was lounging on the couch when she saw her mother storm in. She blinked, surprised. "Mom? Aren't we expecting a guest? Where are they?"

Pauline whipped around, glaring. "Why are you so interested in the guest?" she snapped, her voice thunderous.

Ruby recoiled slightly, her ears ringing from the outburst.

But before she could reply, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the doorway.

Curious, Ruby leaned to look past her mother—and then froze.

Her eyes widened as she took in the tall, striking figure of Lucian Sterling walking in behind Scarlet. 

Even in his dressed-down state, he radiated authority and elegance. Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she just stared.

Without waiting, she brushed past her mother, her heels clicking as she hurried toward him. Her eyes sparkled with sudden interest.

"Please, have a seat," she said quickly, gesturing toward the center sofa like a perfect hostess.

Scarlet, still at the door, blinked in disbelief. Had Ruby even looked at his clothes? Or had she just taken one look at his face and stature and lost all sense?

"Am I watching my sister lust after her own brother-in-law?" Scarlet thought, half amused, half horrified.

Lucian glanced back at Scarlet, catching her incredulous expression. A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes as he murmured, "Sister-in-law."

Ruby's cheeks flushed, but she recovered quickly. She tucked her hair behind her ear and forced a smile. "My… my name is Ruby," she said, deliberately ignoring Scarlet and extending her hand—only to be met with a casual nod from Lucian, who didn't move to shake it.

The air tightened with awkwardness, but Ruby wasn't about to give up easily. Not when her eyes had already started calculating.

Scarlet folded her arms. "This is going to be a very long evening," she muttered.

With a sigh, Scarlet walked fully into the room, her eyes instinctively scanning the space. It was surreal—this was the same house she had grown up in, the same walls that had watched her take her first steps, cry her first tears, learn the difference between right and wrong. Yet, in this very house, she had been sold off like a bargaining chip to repay debts amassed through reckless gambling.

Now, only a few days after her departure, she returned—not to a welcome but to pressure. Pressure to divorce. Pressure from a mother who never truly saw her as a daughter. And now, to top it off, her so-called sister fawning over the very man they wanted her to leave.

A mocking smile tugged at her lips.

"Sister," Ruby began, her voice laced with wounded innocence, "you didn't tell me you were coming home with my brother-in-law." Her gaze lingered on Lucian as though Scarlet hadn't even spoken.

Scarlet turned slowly to face her, the soft light catching in her eyes. She may have been gentle by nature, but that didn't mean she'd allow her space to be invaded.

With a light smile, she said coolly, "Sister, don't you think it's inappropriate to fawn over your brother-in-law? He deserves respect, not admiration."

Ruby's expression twitched at the jab, and she looked to Pauline for support.

Pauline, as expected, took the bait. "Scarlet!" she snapped. "You should learn some manners. What exactly are you trying to imply, talking about your sister like that in front of a guest?"

Lucian, who had quietly taken a seat on the couch Ruby had gestured to, crossed one leg over the other. His gaze swept across the room with detached composure.

"How exactly did she talk?" Lucian asked, earning a warning glare from Pauline. 

"Alright," he said smoothly, "I think we shouldn't waste this beautiful evening arguing about who's right and who's wrong."

Pauline, pleased by what she assumed was a sensible shift in tone, nodded curtly. "Since your arrival, this is the only reasonable thing you've said," she replied, her tone cold and biting.

Lucian turned his eyes toward her, calm but piercing.

"Mother-in-law," he began, his voice laced with irony, "earlier you mentioned divorce. I'd like to know—what is your reason?"

Pauline's mouth opened slightly, surprised at how directly he brought it up.

 "Isn't it obvious?" she finally said, straightening with self-righteous indignation. 

"You're not good enough for her. Look at you, do you even have a proper background?"

You came into our lives with no warning taking the place of her rightful husband, no family to speak of, and now Scarlet is stuck with you while her real chance at a decent life slips away."

Lucian chuckled quietly, the sound devoid of humor. He leaned forward slightly, clasping his hands in front of him.

"I see," he said calmly. "So, money and background… not love, not compatibility. When you sold off your daughter like property to pay off a debt, and now you speak of what's decent?"

Scarlet's eyes flickered with surprise, but she said nothing. Pauline, on the other hand, flushed with anger.

"You watch your tone—"

"No, you watch your choices," Lucian interrupted coldly. "You gave her away once. Don't make the mistake of thinking you still have any say in her future."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Scarlet glanced sideways at Lucian, a mix of surprise and warmth settling in her chest.

Ruby, sensing the growing storm, stood awkwardly near the dining area, fidgeting with her fingers.