Liam had barely finished speaking when a scornful voice cut in.
"Hmph…" Markham shot him a sidelong glance.
"So, it's just the steward!"
His sister, Maria, added with a smirk, "Oh, so he's on the same level as our Goldie!"
"Yep, yep… That's right! Except our Goldie wears a leash—and the Silverwoods' doesn't!"
"Seems like it. When we get home, let's take Goldie's leash off too."
"Sounds like a plan!"
The siblings bantered with ease, their words sharp, each jab laced with mockery.
Ethan listened until the end—and finally understood. This Goldie… was a dog.
Across from them, Liam clearly understood as well. A beat of silence followed, tense with unspoken fury.
Then Liam erupted. "Head of the Whitmore Family," he growled, "is this how you discipline your juniors?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth—
Smack.
A crisp, echoing slap rang out.
