The dining room remained silent.
Uncomfortably silent.
Because Ethan Black had just done something none of his family expected.
He defended Amelia.
Publicly.
Directly.
Without hesitation.
And everyone at the table noticed.
Arthur Black looked quietly satisfied.
Several relatives exchanged surprised glances.
Even the servants standing near the walls seemed stunned.
But nobody was more shocked than Cassandra Black.
She stared at her son for several seconds.
Not speaking.
Not moving.
Simply staring.
Because Ethan had never contradicted her like that before.
Not in front of the family.
Not publicly.
Not for anyone.
Especially not for a woman.
And certainly not for Amelia Hart.
The silence stretched.
Then Cassandra smiled.
A dangerous smile.
The kind that made Amelia’s
