Watching the pearls scatter across the floor, Nylia felt a sharp pang of distress.

That pearl necklace had taken her nearly a month of relentless coaxing to squeeze out of Stuart’s stingy hands. She rarely wore it, saving it for special occasions like today to make an impression. Yet Chelsea had just ripped it apart without a second thought. Nylia gritted her teeth in anger but forced herself to maintain composure in front of the crowd.

She plastered on a stiff smile. “The Bromley family is known for its strict rules and clear hierarchy. Is this how you behave as a junior member of the family?”

“Junior?” Chelsea’s voice was...