?Chapter 1663:


    Wearing a ttering smile, De stepped forward, her eyes lingering on Harlee as if she longed to be right by her side.


    “Oh, Mrs. Green, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You like this restaurant too?”


    Sinir allowed De to try ingratiating herself with Harlee. After all, even if De failed, he had nothing to lose. But if she seeded, he could ride her coattails to his own advantage.


    Harlee abruptly spoke.


    “Too noisy.”


    Her voice was devoid of warmth.


    The sheer force of Harlee’s presence made De swallow the words poised on her lips. Rooted in ce, she didn’t dare move.


    Rhys picked up a napkin from the table and handed it to Harlee. She took it, wiped her fingers withnguid grace, and then casually tossed it in De’s direction just as De was about to reach out.


    Harlee gently lifted her eyelids. Her eyes were dark and calm as she gave De an indifferent nce. Her haughty demeanormanded quiet respect.


    “Watch your words. If you dare spout any more nonsense, I won’t hesitate to ruin your throat,” she said coldly.


    Though Harlee’s tone remained even, the lethal intent in her eyes was enough to send a chill down anyone’s spine.


    Elva sat quietly, her gaze brimming with admiration toward Harlee. Harlee had demonstrated what it meant to be intimidating, and all it took was a single cool look and a few concise words.


    Elva knew she still had a long way to go before developing even a slice of Harlee’s formidable presence. She resolved to cling tightly to this invaluable connection and absorb as much as she could, bracing herself to better deal with the Patterson family.


    Elva turned to Harlee and said, “If you find them annoying, just toss them out. I can curse them all day long once we get back.”


    Sinir stiffened at her words, unable to hold back.


    “You…”


    “What? Sinir, didn’t I warn you before? Don’t provoke me again. Are you deaf?” Elva cut him off without so much as a nce.


    Rhys casually grabbed a fork from the table and sent it skittering across the floor,nding near Sinir’s feet. His gaze was cold and sharp as he said indifferently, “My wife doesn’t like your voice. If you say another word, I’ll ensure your family’s future is destroyed.”


    Convinced Rhys was referring to the Happer family’s business empire, Sinir felt the blood drain from his face. What he failed to realize was that Rhys was referring to his manhood. After all, Sinir was the only child in his family’s generation.


    If Sinir had known Rhys was targeting his manhood, hisplexion would have turned ghostly white.


    Sinir’s gaze shot upward, and when his eyes locked with Rhys’ dark, unfathomable ones, a cold shiver ran down his spine. His legs trembled involuntarily. If that fork hadnded just a fraction off, it would have skewered his foot.


    The other guests on the top floor, though aware of themotion, remained indifferent. After all, the kind of people who dined here were perceptive enough to mind their own business. They knew better than to watch a spectacle that wasn’t meant for their eyes.


    “Leave,” Harlee said indifferently.


    Sinir froze for a brief moment before quickly nodding. He grabbed De’s arm and tried to usher her away.


    But De suddenly dug her heels in, turning sharply to re at Harlee.


    “Elva, you’ve disappointed me. Sinir and I are practically your family! How could you just stand by and let your so-called friends humiliate us like this? You’ve gone too far!”


    The smile on Elva’s face vanished in an instant. Without a word, she strode forward, raised her hand, and struck De across the face with a sharp p. Before De or Sinir could recover, Elva’s hand swung again,nding the same forceful p on Sinir’s cheek.


    .


    .


    .