Rural Belle & Three Heirs

Chloe didn't even flinch at the provocation, just gave one of them a good once-over. Before she hit Sovereign City, she had done her homework on the three young heirs.

The guy running his mouth for Liam was Gerald Bailey, the first grandson of the Bailey family. With the Bailey family's business going downhill, Gerald had become Liam's loyal lapdog, trying to get in good with the powerful Martin Family. She stared at Gerald for a few seconds before saying, "Gerald, did you show up to the party today without your brain?"

Her words left Gerald dumbfounded. "Ugly girl, who do you think you're talking to?"

Chloe locked eyes with him and said calmly, "You. I was just speaking with your parents about a potential business deal between the Davis Family and the Bailey family, and now you want me to leave?"

To those who didn't know the Davis Family's clout, Chloe's words might've sounded like empty threats. But Gerald knew better.

His parents always said that even a small deal with the Davis Family could turn things around for the Baileys. Pissing off Chloe would blow that chance and bring down their wrath.

Realizing this, Gerald's bravado crumbled. He stepped aside, embarrassed and silent.

Right then, Liam stepped in to smooth things over. "Ugly girl, don't get mad. Everyone here knows each other. It's not cool to start a fight. Give me a break."

Liam held a wine glass and actually asked Chloe to cut him some slack in a soft tone.

He figured Chloe wouldn't make a scene in front of everyone, but he was dead wrong. She threw her wine right in Liam's face, leaving him and his crew stunned. No one expected such guts from a plain girl like Chloe.

This was the third young heir of the Martin Family!

She was asking for trouble.

Liam, with wine dripping off his face, was instantly pissed. He wiped his face, gritting his teeth, and snapped, "Ugly girl, are you looking to get yourself killed?"

Chloe locked eyes with him, fearless. "Oh yeah? You think you've got what it takes to off me? Liam, Mr. Third-in-Line of the Martin clan, resorting to cheap shots against me? Pathetic. I just splashed wine on you. Even if I rough you up, the Martins won't bat an eye."

Liam thought Chloe had figured out that he had Lucy mess up her dress, so he felt a bit guilty. He didn't expect the ugly girl to be so sharp and even have a backup dress.

But Lucy's tricks were too amateurish. The party wasn't even over, and her little scheme was already exposed. She was more trouble than she was worth.

The spat between Chloe and Liam quickly grabbed everyone's attention.

Grant, holding a wine glass and looking icy, noticed the ruckus and walked over.

Liam, who was all set to go off on Chloe, immediately cooled down and avoided eye contact as soon as Grant showed up.

Liam had too much respect and fear for Grant to act out at this welcome party. Grant gave them a cold once-over.

He asked, "What's going on here?"

"Grant, the ugly girl threw wine on me," Liam blurted out.

Upon hearing this, Grant's handsome visage darkened imperceptibly, his eyebrows arching with an air of commanding authority. "Liam, she's the Davis Family's girl. Just call her Chloe. Calling her an ugly girl makes the Martin Family look bad." Grant didn't hesitate to side with Chloe.

His stance took Chloe by surprise.

"Grant."

"Apologize to her," Grant ordered Liam in a stern voice.

Liam wanted to push back, but when he met Grant's fierce gaze, he backed down.

He bowed to Chloe, reluctantly saying, "I'm sorry!"

"But Grant, we can't just let it slide that she threw wine on me!" After apologizing, Liam still wanted to get something out of it.

Sure, he had Lucy mess up Chloe's dress, but that didn't mean Chloe could throw wine on him and make him look like a fool, right?

Upon Liam's words, Grant glanced at Chloe, recognizing the dress he had chosen for her. No doubt, Grant had good taste. The traditional dress really brought out Chloe's elegance.

"What do you say?" Grant's tone softened when he spoke to Chloe.

Chloe didn't hold back and told Grant straight up, "He messed with me."

She was hinting not just at her ruined dress but also at being drugged, something Liam didn't know about. Grant, having seen Chloe's near assault, figured she was talking about that awful experience. Liam tried to defend himself, "Grant, I was just joking with her. Didn't mean any harm. She's not that sensitive, is she?"

Grant's face darkened at Liam's words. To him, a woman's chastity was no joke.

If Grant hadn't shown up in time, things could've gone horribly wrong. Both families would have been publicly shamed, and Chloe's loss of dignity would have been a huge scandal. Liam's "joke" was way out of line!

Grant, fuming, stared at Liam and said, "It seems you don't get how serious this is!"

"Grant, I was just joking with her," Liam insisted. In his mind, having someone cut Chloe's dress was just a prank. If that wasn't a joke, what was?

Chloe crossed her arms, curious to see how Grant would handle Liam.

If he dared to cover for him, she'd make sure to get her own justice!