Liam’s fingers dug hard into Evelyn’s skin, leaving dark red marks on her wrist. His breath smelled faintly of stale alcohol, and his face was twisted in deep, ugly anger.

"Let go of me right now, Liam!" Evelyn demanded, her voice sharp and loud in the quiet hallway. She tried to pull her arm back, but his grip remained tight.

"You scheming little witch!" Liam spat out, his eyes wide and bloodshot with rage. "How did you do it, Evelyn? How did you trick my uncle into marrying you in just one night? What dirty games did you play in his bed to get him to buy your dead father's...