"I'm sorry, but what have I done wrong?" Ryley's question was polite, though laced with an undercurrent of protest.
Gloria's scoff cut through the air like a knife, her disdain evident in the curl of her lip. "How dare you lay your hand on the mother of the eldest heir?"
Her words dripped with intimidation, a warning of the consequences of his actions.
"But he tried to hit me first. I was just trying to protect myself. Are you saying that I should just take—" Ryley attempted to defend himself, but Gloria cut him off with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Enough. I don't have time to deal with you," Gloria's tone brooked no argument, her dismissal final as she turned away, leaving Ryley seething with frustration.
Ryley stood rooted to the spot, his mind reeling from Gloria's unexpected response, but his resolve remained unshaken.
"I thought the Aldric Family values justice above all," he protested, his words ringing out with a hint of defiance.
