Altsin watched in horrified slow motion as the red jade figurine hit the ground—

Crack!

The delicate carving split in two.

Its head separated from its body.

For a moment, he felt as if something inside him had snapped along with it.

Blake, still startled, patted her chest to calm herself. “Jeez, it’s your fault for yelling so loudly—”

She had intended to act cute and soften him up.

But when she looked up and saw the thunderous storm brewing on Altsin’s face, she froze.

Her instincts screamed at her to shut up.

Timidly, she tried a different approach. “I’m sorry, Altsin. I didn’t do it on purpose…”

“Get out.”...