Karl wanted to argue —but couldn’t.

Something about the woman in that moment held him back, forcing his defiance down and leaving him strangely ... compliant.

Pier blinked, completely dumbfounded by what he had just witnessed.

This was the first time he had ever seen Karl fall into obedience so easily.

As far as he knew, not even his two older brothers had ever managed something like this.

His gaze shifted to Adelyn, filled with unconcealed awe.

If he had been curious about her before, that curiosity had now deepened into something far more intense.

Not only had she dared to flick the fourth young master’s forehead openly —she had also made him accept her words without resistance.

Just who exactly was she ... to have such an effect on him?

"No matter who she is, I’m ready to accept her as my master from now on," he muttered under his breath.

The man beside him shot him a strange look, his brows knitting together in confusion.

When Pier noticed the stare, he pursed his lips and shrugged.

"Don’t look at me like that. You wouldn’t understand her charm until you see it properly."

"What’s there to understand?" the man scoffed, his tone laced with something unpleasant. "What charm could she possibly have apart from her face?"

He then turned to glance at Adelyn, a sleazy glint crossing his eyes.

"Well ... I must say, she’s quite a beauty. If we play this right, we might just get to ’entertain’ her for the rest of the night."

"You—"

Pier was just about to snap back when—

"What will it take for you to let us leave?"

Adelyn’s voice cut cleanly through the tension.

It was calm.

Measured.

Confident.

As though even while asking, she already had another way out in mind if they refused.

All eyes turned to her at once.

"This has nothing to do with you," the man who seemed to be their leader said, eyeing her with clear displeasure. "You showed up uninvited. If you want to leave, do it now —while we’re still letting you."

Adelyn looked at him ... and smiled.

Crossing her arms, she said lightly,

"You’re being merciful."

The man’s lips began to curl —ready to accept the compliment—

But Adelyn continued smoothly,

"Unfortunately, I don’t appreciate anyone’s mercy."

Her gaze sharpened just a fraction.

"State your terms. I’ll settle it myself and leave on my own."

There was no arrogance in her tone ... just quiet, unwavering confidence.

Yet—

To the men, it sounded like pure arrogance.

"Brother, she’s asking for it," one of them muttered, clearly irritated. "Let’s teach her the hard way."

"Yes," another added, his gaze dragging over her. "Such a beauty ... letting her walk away would be a waste."

Their filthy undertones would have made anyone else stiffen.

But Adelyn stood there calmly.

Not even the slightest crease formed between her brows.

She simply met their gazes with a faint smile—

one that felt both like a provocation ... and a warning.

Karl’s expression darkened as he heard them.

His fingers curled into fists as he gathered his strength —and this time, he broke free.

The man who had been holding him moved to grab him again, but Karl stepped forward first —placing himself directly in front of Adelyn.

A shield.

"You’d better not lay a hand on her," he said, his tone low but unmistakably cold.

"She has nothing to do with this. Let her and the girl leave. My friend and I will stay and deal with this ourselves."

Adelyn’s brows lifted slightly.

She looked at him —genuinely a little impressed.

So he wasn’t completely useless after all.

At least he knew when to stand like a man.

She reached out and lightly tapped his arm.

Karl turned to her, his expression serious.

"Don’t interfere in things you shouldn’t. It’s not safe for you. Take Eira and leave first."

"You do have some conscience," she said lightly. Then her gaze slid past him toward the men.

"But don’t worry... I know exactly what I’m interfering in."

"You—"

"That’s enough," the leader cut in, his patience clearly thinning. "Not just anyone gets to meddle here."

His gaze shifted between them before settling on Karl.

"Is she your girlfriend?"

Karl’s face flushed red instantly.

Even Adelyn frowned slightly —but before she could respond, Karl blurted out,

"No, she’s not."

The man didn’t seem surprised.

"Then ... your sister-in-law?"

Karl paused.

He glanced sideways at Adelyn.

Adelyn turned to look at him too.

Sister-in-law?

Technically... she was his brother’s woman—but that didn’t necessarily mean—

"Nope," Karl said quickly, shaking his head. "I don’t accept her as my sister-in-law either."

Adelyn almost laughed.

This one really had a talent for digging his own grave.

"Then who is she?" the man pressed, frowning.

"I’m—"

Adelyn had just opened her mouth to answer—

When Karl spoke again.

"She ... she’s just the woman my brother slept with."

Silence.

Complete. Absolute silence.

Even the air seemed to freeze.

Adelyn’s head snapped toward him.

Pier choked on his own breath.

"Cough—cough—WHAT?"

He stared at Karl as if questioning every life choice that had led him to befriend this man.

Karl, meanwhile, looked oddly satisfied with his explanation —like he had just clarified something important.

"... What?" he muttered, confused at everyone’s reactions. "That doesn’t mean anything, right?"

Pier stared at him, horrified.

That doesn’t mean anything?

The men exchanged strange looks, their gazes shifting toward Adelyn with renewed curiosity—

And a lot more interest than before.

Adelyn closed her eyes.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

Her fingers curled into fists.

Every bit of appreciation she had just developed for Karl —vanished.

Gone.

Completely erased.

He didn’t deserve it.

Not even a little.

She took a slow, steady breath —reminding herself that Eira was still here.

Calm.

Stay calm.

When she opened her eyes again, she turned sharply toward Karl —

And knocked him on the back of his head.

Smack.

"Don’t mind his nonsense," she said with a tight smile, her voice sweet —but her teeth very clearly clenched. "He simply doesn’t know how to use his words."

Karl winced, rubbing the back of his head.

"You—"

He was about to protest—

But Adelyn shot him a warning glare.

The kind that promised violence.

Immediate violence.

"Of course, I’m his sister-in-law," she continued smoothly, turning back to the others.

Then —very deliberately —she added, "Otherwise... why else would I sleep with his brother?"

Karl froze.

"... You—"

"Try refuting that," she said sweetly under her breath, leaning just enough for only him to hear, "And I promise you —before they kill you, I will."