Tianlong turned lazily. A young woman, maybe sixteen or seventeen, with the same dark hair as Meilin but cut short and practical, stepped in. Clad in tight, utilitarian clothes, she radiated strength. Her eyes met Tianlong's with pure contempt.
Julia had been training in the courtyard and heard the commotion. Her mother had ordered her away. But curiosity had won.
Now she understood why.
The scene was obscene.
"Julia," Meilin warned, voice sharp.
"Guests?" Julia's lip curled as she strode forward. "Guests don't disrespect our house like—" she gestured sharply at Tianlong and the women trailing him. "—whatever this is supposed to be!"
Meilin seethed inside, wanting to scream. Not now. Not with Sabrina watching. Julia's outburst was a complication.
But a useful one—let Julia test this man. See how he responded. Measure the threat.
Sabrina moved smoothly between Julia and Tianlong. "Julia. Shut up."
