I was still seething from the Sterlings' visit when a knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
"Come in," I called, expecting to see Roman return to finish our conversation.
The door opened, revealing not only Roman Volkov but also Beatrice and Seraphina Sterling—their faces twisted in smug satisfaction. My jaw clenched involuntarily.
"Look who I ran into in the hallway," Roman said with a neutral expression I couldn't quite read.
Seraphina's eyes gleamed with malice. "I was just telling Mr. Volkov about your disrespectful behavior, Liam."
"Mr. Volkov is a close friend of Gideon's," Beatrice added, her voice dripping with false concern. "Perhaps he can help you understand the consequences of your... attitude problem."
I felt my hands curl into fists at my sides. The familiar feeling of powerlessness threatened to creep back in—a ghost from my days as the Sterlings' punching bag. But the warm pulse of the jade pendant against my chest reminded me I wasn't that man anymore.
