The crowd around us fell into a tense silence as Asher Lane's face transformed from arrogance to alarm. The recognition in his eyes was unmistakable as he stared at Isabelle. Without warning, he dropped to one knee before her, his head bowed low.
"Miss Ashworth," he said, his voice stripped of its previous confidence. "Please accept my deepest apologies for any inconvenience caused by my... associate."
Lyra's jaw dropped. "Asher, what are you doing?" she hissed, pulling at his sleeve. "Get up! You don't kneel to anyone!"
He shook her off with such force that she stumbled backward. "Silence!" he snapped, not even looking at her. His eyes remained fixed on Isabelle, filled with something close to fear.
I couldn't help but marvel at the power Isabelle commanded with her mere presence. The mighty heir to the Lane family, kneeling in public—it was a sight I never thought I'd witness.
