Elizabeth's cheek stung with a fiery pain.

She had anticipated Amanda might be shocked to find her here. Perhaps even offended that someone dared to challenge her perceived superiority.

She never imagined Amanda would resort to violence so immediately. The slap left Elizabeth momentarily frozen, her mind blank.

Even the security guards at the entrance stood paralyzed, unsure how to respond.

"Have you no shame, Elizabeth York?!" Amanda shrieked, her voice trembling with raw fury. "How dare you show your face here?! Are you really this desperate to sabotage my meeting with Ethan's parents?! Did my warning this afternoon mean nothing to you?!"

Elizabeth slowly regained her composure, her fingers gently probing her swollen cheek.

In truth, Elizabeth had faced few humiliations in her life. Most of her losses were connected to Ethan.

And she could accept losing to him.

But anyone else…

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed dangerously. She raised her hand, ready to deliver a retaliatory strike.

However, a strong hand caught her wrist mid-air. Elizabeth turned to find Ethan had appeared seemingly from nowhere.

Amanda spotted him too and instantly ducked behind his broad frame, her demeanor shifting to one of feigned vulnerability. "Ethan, she was going to hit me…" she whimpered.

"Release me!" Elizabeth commanded, her gaze locked on Ethan with an icy intensity that could freeze hell.

The depth of her fury was palpable to anyone watching.

"Don't cause a scene. This is Levine Manor," Ethan reminded her calmly.

"So I'm supposed to endure this humiliation in my own home?!" Elizabeth's voice rang out, clear and sharp.

Ethan pressed his lips together while Amanda, emboldened by his presence, softened her stance—a stark contrast to the arrogant woman who had struck Elizabeth moments before.

"What do you mean, your home?" Amanda asked with feigned innocence. "Look, Elizabeth, I know you have feelings for Ethan, but he's with me now. We're discussing marriage prospects. You really shouldn't interfere, or this could end badly for everyone involved… It would be such a shame if your acting career suffered because of this unfortunate obsession!"

"Let… me… go!" Elizabeth's burning eyes remained fixed on Ethan, completely ignoring Amanda's taunts.

"I owe you for that slap," Ethan stated flatly.

Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting I should hit you instead?"

"Yes."

"How chivalrous." Elizabeth's smile was cold, belying the storm raging inside her.

Ethan said nothing. She struggled against his iron grip, which only tightened painfully. "How exactly am I supposed to hit you if you won't release me?"

Ethan's lips thinned, and he slowly loosened his hold.

But the instant her wrist was free—

CRACK!

Elizabeth's palm connected squarely with Amanda's cheek, the force behind the blow far exceeding the one she had received.

Amanda's face immediately reddened and swelled, tears springing to her eyes from the sheer pain.

She never expected Elizabeth would strike her, though she wouldn't have tolerated Elizabeth hitting Ethan either.

Elizabeth had simply moved too swiftly for anyone to react.

"Elizabeth York…" Amanda growled, her voice thick with rage.

Having been pampered her entire life, she was utterly unaccustomed to such indignity.

She raised her hand, intent on returning the slap with equal force.