"What, are you all afraid to agree? Is it because you know it's slander, and now you're scared?" Seeing the difficult expressions on the faces of the people who had just been so boisterous, Mr. Ashworth felt a surge of satisfaction. He slowly sat back down on the sofa. "If you don't have the guts, then I'll ask you all to explain to everyone that this so-called prophecy is pure slander, and to never bring it up again."
'Ah, there's only one word for this feeling: satisfying! That look of utter frustration on the faces of Cecil Winters and his son... why is it so pleasing to see? They dare to bully my Seraphina? Naive. Childish. They're asking for it!'
Stung by Mr. Ashworth's contemptuous gaze, a flare of anger shot through Cecil Winters. But the thought of his collaboration with the Sterling family instantly cooled his head, and he agreed to Mr. Ashworth's demand.
"Fine, I agree."
