The atmosphere in the boutique shifted the moment the door swung open again. William, seated calmly in one of the plush chairs, didn't need to look to know who had just walked in. The loud voices and casual arrogance belonged to men he had once called friends, though that seemed like a lifetime ago.
Ethan, the ringleader of the group, strode into the boutique with two other heirs trailing behind him. Their laughter filled the room, drawing the attention of the sales staff, and the air buzzed with their entitled energy. Ethan, as always, was the loudest, his presence dominating the space as he took in his surroundings with the confidence of someone who had never faced a serious consequence in his life.
Ethan's eyes landed on William, and his laughter died. His lips curled into a smirk as he signaled to the others, and together they approached William like predators circling prey.
"Well, well, well," Ethan said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Look who's decided to grace us with his presence. What are you doing here, Rothschild? Shopping for something you can't afford?"
The two others snickered, their eyes gleaming with amusement.
William didn't flinch. He had heard it all before—their jabs, their mockery. But today was different. Today, he wasn't the same man they used to belittle.
Ethan took a step closer, his eyes scanning William's casual attire. "Seriously, though," he continued, his voice oozing arrogance. "Do you even know what this place is? People like you don't belong here."
William's gaze remained steady as Ethan leaned in, clearly enjoying himself. The other two heirs hovered close, watching the exchange like it was their favorite sport.
Before William could respond, Marcus, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward, his tall frame casting a shadow over Ethan and his friends. The scar on his face only added to his menacing presence, and his eyes were sharp as he looked at Ethan with disdain.
"Back off," Marcus growled, his voice low but filled with authority. "You don't know who you're dealing with."
Ethan, caught off guard by Marcus's sudden presence, glanced up at him, his smirk faltering slightly. "And who are you?" he asked, trying to maintain his arrogance but unable to hide the slight edge of uncertainty in his voice.
"I'm the one who runs this town," Marcus said, his tone deadly calm. "And if you've got a problem with William, then you've got a problem with me."
The tension in the room thickened as Ethan sized up Marcus, but the bravado in his eyes had already begun to waver. He wasn't used to being challenged like this. He glanced at his two friends, who were shifting uncomfortably.
Ethan tried to save face, scoffing as he crossed his arms. "You think I care about some bodyguard? You don't scare me."
Marcus's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to Ethan, towering over him. "You should care. You think you've got power because you've got some money and a famous last name? That's nothing compared to what real power looks like. And trust me, kid—you don't want to find out what happens when you cross William Rothschild."
The weight of Marcus's words hung heavy in the air. Ethan's earlier confidence began to crumble, and his eyes flicked nervously between Marcus and William. His two friends, sensing the shift in power, took small steps backward, clearly unsure of how to react.
"I... we didn't mean anything by it," Ethan stammered, his voice losing its edge. "We were just... joking around."
Marcus didn't move, his gaze locked on Ethan. "You think this is a joke? Get out. Now. Before I make you regret it."
Ethan hesitated, glancing at his friends, but the fear in their eyes mirrored his own. He took a step back, trying to save what little dignity he had left. "Fine. We're leaving," he muttered, signaling to the others.
As the three of them hurried out of the boutique, Marcus turned to William, his expression calm once again. "They won't bother you again, Master William."
William stood, brushing off the encounter as though it were nothing. "I expected them to show up eventually," he said quietly. "But they'll learn soon enough."
The boutique returned to its previous calm as Marcus and William made their way to the register. The saleswoman, who had been watching the entire scene with wide eyes, quickly composed herself as they approached.
"These suits," Marcus said, gesturing to the finest selections she had brought out earlier. "We'll take them."
The saleswoman nodded quickly, already moving to pack them up. "Of course, sir. I'll have them ready for you right away."
As they left the boutique, Marcus glanced at William. "That was just the beginning. People like Ethan will keep coming at you."
William gave a small nod, his expression thoughtful. "Let them. I'll be ready."