The bright red blood on Liesa's ear snapped everyone back to reality.
Even Richard, who had been raging seconds ago, suddenly fell silent.
Richard's face darkened, but he said nothing more.
Angus lowered his gaze.
Angus acted as if he hadn't noticed the wound on Liesa's ear.
Or perhaps Angus simply didn't care.
Just then, Sam hurried into the room. Sam had clearly rushed back overnight without any rest.
The moment Sam stepped inside, he spotted the blood on Liesa's ear.
"What happened?" Sam blurted in shock.
His voice broke the heavy silence. Silas immediately stepped forward, his expression concerned.
"Miss Valtieri, are you alright?" Silas asked gently."I'll call the family doctor."
"If the wound isn't treated soon, it might cause complications."
"No need, Mr. Silas Romano," Liesa replied coolly.
"It's just a small cut. I can handle it myself."
Her tone carried an obvious distance. Liesa thought,
Liesa folded her arms lightly. She thought,
Liesa wasn't in the mood to watch the performance.
Silas clearly noticed the sharp edge in her voice. He forced an awkward smile and said nothing more.
Instead, the exchange made Liesa seem slightly cold.
Richard frowned and his displeasure toward Liesa deepened.
Behind Richard, Nina remained unusually quiet. She looked distracted after what had just happened.Liesa glanced around the room.
She thought,
Liesa sighed inwardly.
So Liesa wisely stayed silent.
"Richard, let's go downstairs first," Silas said after a moment, breaking the tension again. "It's time for breakfast."
"Enough with the food," Richard snapped impatiently. He shot Silas an irritated look.
But when Richard noticed Silas's uneasy expression, some of his anger faded.
Richard turned back toward Angus, his gaze was cold and commanding.
"I might not force Silas's mother's grave to be moved back to the Grayson ancestral grounds," Richard said slowly.
"But your mother's grave must be returned." Richard's voice hardened.
"Otherwise, this matter won't be settled. Do whatever you want with that."
Silas's expression darkened at Richard's words but he quickly regained composure and turned to Angus with a forced smile.
"Yeah, Angus. Just do as Richard says," Silas said gently. "We don't want to upset him."
The room fell silent.
Everyone's eyes shifted to Angus.
The pressure gathered around Angus, heavy and suffocating, as if refusing would be an unforgivable sin.
For a long moment, Angus didn't move. Then he finally leaned back in the chair.
Angus let out a slow breath. "Leave," Angus said lazily.
"You—!" Richard's face flushed bright red with rage.
Richard took several furious steps forward.
Sam quickly rushed over. He stepped in front of Angus with a panicked gesture.
"Mr. Grayson, please calm down," Sam said urgently. "What if Mr. Romano gets angry and decides not to attend your birthday banquet?"
Richard froze mid-step.Richard had already fallen out with Angus. But Angus's presence at the banquet was essential.
Richard needed Angus there to pressure him about the family seal.
And the older members of the Romano family were expecting Angus as well.
If Angus refused to appear, Silas's position would become even more unstable.
Richard took a slow breath. The anger in Richard's eyes cooled slightly.
But Richard's raised hand remained awkwardly suspended in the air.
The tension hung thick in the room.
Silas, who understood Richard perfectly, quickly stepped forward.
Silas placed a hand on Richard's arm. "Richard, please," Silas said softly. Let's talk this through with Angus later. Why don't we step outside for a moment?"
Silas gently guided Richard toward the door.
Richard was half-pushed and half-pulled out of the room.
The bedroom finally grew quiet.
Sam let out a long breath. Then he noticed the blood on Liesa's ear again.
Sam frowned in concern. "Dr. Valtieri, please sit down first," Sam said quickly. "I'll call a doctor."
Liesa lifted her phone and opened the camera.
Liesa checked the wound using the front lens.
After a quick look, Liesa smiled faintly. "No stitches needed," Liesa said lightly.
"Could you bring me the first-aid kit, Mr. Summer?"
"Of course," Sam replied at once.
Sam quickly went to fetch it. As he clearly knew the house very well, soon, he returned with the kit.
While Liesa opened it and searched for supplies, Sam spoke carefully.
"Do you need any help, Dr. Valtieri?" Sam asked.
Liesa was just about to agree.
"Leave." Angus's cold voice suddenly cut through the room.
Sam paused for a moment. Then he immediately nodded.
"Dr. Valtieri is an excellent doctor," Sam said smoothly.
"I'm sure she doesn't need my help. I'll take my leave now."
Sam turned and walked toward the door without hesitation.
Before closing it behind him, Sam glanced back thoughtfully.
Click.
The door shut.
Liesa's mouth twitched slightly. When she looked up, she met Angus's eyes.
Angus's gaze was dark and deep, like spilled ink.
For some reason, Liesa suddenly felt a little guilty.
Liesa cleared her throat softly and pointed toward the door.
"Um… when you said 'leave,'" Liesa asked carefully, "did that include me?"
Angus didn't answer.
He simply stared at her.
Still. Silent.
Like a beautiful statue carved from stone.
Liesa slowly closed the first-aid kit. "Alright," Liesa said with a small sigh.
She stood up, holding the box. "I'll go then."
Liesa turned and walked toward the door.
She had only taken two steps.
"Get back here." Angus's voice came from behind her.
Liesa's lips instantly curved into a smile. She turned around and walked back.