Yin's POV .
"Lord. Yin," she said, drawing out my name like it was something distasteful. "To what do we owe this... unexpected visit?"
I didn't bother with pleasantries. "You falsified evidence against Irene. Yiu destroyed her academic career with manufactured accusations and outright lies."
Charlotte's laugh was sharp as broken glass. "Oh, that. Ancient history. Besides, people like her should know their place. She came from nothing, had nothing, and thought she could compete with *me*?" She set down her wine glass with a decisive click. "I did everyone a favor. Girls like that don't belong in elite academic spaces."
The casual cruelty in her voice made something cold settle in my chest.
"People like her?" I repeated softly. "Irene is my wife regardless of her social status and you'll do well to treat her with respect."
Mrs. Whitmore stood, all false concern and practiced social graces. " Lord Yin, I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding. Charlotte would never—"
