---- At that event, Asher had apanied the ckwood family patriarch, Even the powerful Spanish official had treated the ckwood patriarch with utmost respect and deference. The second time Sean saw Asher was three years ago at a business reception. His father had brought him along towork and discuss business. Asher had been the center of attention, surrounded by admirers. Many people had wanted to approach him but couldn''t get the opportunity.


    His father had warned him: he could y around however he wanted, but he must never offend London''s young master. If he ever crossed the ckwood heir, he needn''t return home--his family would disown him to avoid being dragged down. Sean knew his father wasn''t joking or trying to scare him. He was the third son, with two older brothers. Moreover, his father kept three mistresses, two of whom had borne children-a son and a daughter.


    ---- Both his biological brothers were more capable than him, and the illegitimate children were also favored by his father. As a spoiled, useless son, he truly could be discarded at any moment. In those few seconds, many thoughts raced through Sean''s mind, leaving him in a cold sweat. Then, Sean witnessed a scene that terrified him. The ckwood heir turned to the woman who had gotten him thrown in detention, asking with concern: "Thalia, are you alright?" What!


    That woman actually knew the ckwood heir? Judging by the young master''s concerned expression, they were quite close. Sean trembled uncontrobly, his legs weakening. Thalia shook her head, responding to Asher: "I''m fine." Sensing the situation had turned unfavorable, Scarlett, her earlier arrogancepletely gone, tried to slink away quietly. ---- Someone in the crowd tripped her, causing her to fall ungracefully to the ground. Onlookers mocked her.


    "Oh, Miss Rosol, where are you going?" "What were you saying earlier? Oh right, you said the Winters heiress was poor and pretentious, wearing fake designer items. Why aren''t you saying that now?" "We all heard you humiliate Miss Winters in front of everyone. Aren''t you going to apologize?" "Quite the p in the face, isn''t it? Didn''t expect the beautiful woman to be the Winters family heiress from London, did you? You love spreading rumors and nder, but now you''re running away?


    Can''t face the consequences of your actions?" Scarlett got up, never having been so humiliated in her life. Froma distance, Asher cast a chilling nce in her direction. Scarlett shuddered, meekly approaching Thalia to apologize. Head bowed, she mumbled, "I''m sorry, Miss Winters. I shouldn''t have spoken about you like that." ---- "spoken?" Thalia wasn''t about to let her off so easily.


    "You publicly insulted and ndered me, and you call it simply ''speaking about me''?" Scarlett pouted, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked toward Asher, attempting to appear pitiful and gain his sympathy. Ina high-pitched, delicate voice, she said, "Sir ckwood, this is a misunderstanding. I''ve already apologized to Miss Winters. Couldn''t you please let this go?" She prided herself on understanding men and was confident in her appearance.


    No man, she thought, could resist her tearful, pitiful demeanor. However, Asher looked at her with disgust and coldly replied, "No."