Intimidation

Margaret’s sudden appearance was like a drop of water falling into a calm pan of oil, instantly making the atmosphere in the detention room unbearably tense and strange.

The arrogance Wu Spanner had carried due to his family’s power vanished the moment he saw Margaret’s figure.

In its place came a rapidly spreading cold chill and intense unease.

He knew all too well the weight that Her Highness the Princess held in official circles, as well as her influence both inside and outside the court.

Her personal appearance in this small police detention room could not possibly be a mere passing visit or a whim.

Yet, some people still failed to grasp the situation.

Shuo Spanner, full of pent-up anger with nowhere to vent, froze for a moment when he saw a young beauty of unparalleled appearance and noble temperament. Though intimidated by the presence of the two men in black and Margaret’s own aura, his spoiled nature quickly overcame that faint sense of caution.

Especially when he saw that this beauty seemed to be approaching them, Shuo Spanner’s suppressed arrogance flickered back to life.

He curled his lips and, with what he thought was a flirtatious but actually frivolous gaze, appraised Margaret from head to toe, muttering indecently, “Oh? Another one? Pretty enough… Are you here to watch the fun for this young master? Or… are you involved with that little pretty boy Rhys…”

“Scoundrel! Shut your mouth!”

Before he could finish, Wu Spanner, beside him, was already terrified out of his wits, his face pale as paper. Without thinking, he slapped Shuo Spanner—already injured—hard across the face!

Smack!

The slap rang crisp and loud, sending Shuo Spanner staggering, almost falling again, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Dazed, Shuo Spanner covered his face, looking at his uncle in disbelief, a mix of shock, anger, and endless grievance: “Uncle! Why… why are you hitting me again? She’s just a pretty girl! Was that really necessary?!”

He couldn’t understand why the uncle who had always pampered him would today, because of a stranger, hit him repeatedly.

“I told you to shut up! Did you hear me? Say one more word, and I’ll break your legs!”

Wu Spanner trembled with rage, eyes blazing. Afraid that Shuo Spanner might utter something even more insolent, he kicked him in the stomach, knocking him to the ground, and shouted sharply.

Then, having no time to further scold his nephew, he quickly turned toward Margaret, instantly forcing a terrified, apologetic smile onto his face. Bowing deeply, his voice trembling noticeably:

“Your Highness, Princess, why are you here? My nephew has always been a little dim-witted and speaks without restraint. He has offended Your Highness, so I beg you not to take it to heart. I will make sure he is strictly disciplined!”

“Princess?!”

Those words exploded like thunder in the small detention room!

Shuo Spanner, still struggling on the ground, instantly froze, as if turned into ice. He looked up at the stunning young woman, eyes wide, pupils filled with extreme shock, fear, and confusion.

Princess? The Princess of the Dragon Kingdom? Margaret?!

No matter how spoiled or reckless he had been, he knew what the word “Princess” truly meant.

It was the epitome of nobility, a presence at the pinnacle of power in the Dragon Kingdom.

And he had just dared to speak to her in such a tone?!

In an instant, a boundless chill surged from his feet to his head.

Shuo Spanner felt his blood run cold, his face pale as paper, his body trembling uncontrollably, forgetting even the pain.

Beside him, Hui Spanner, though usually calmer and more ruthless than his younger brother, also turned pale, his heart racing, his back soaked with cold sweat.

He too could not believe his eyes as he looked at Margaret, his mind spinning. Why would the Princess be here?

Is it because of Dustin and Natasha? Could those two have a past with the Princess? The thought sent chills down his spine.

Margaret did not immediately respond to Wu Spanner’s apology, nor did she glance at the slumped Shuo Spanner on the ground.

Her cold gaze, like shards of ice, slowly swept over Wu Spanner’s face, full of panic, finally resting on his slightly trembling fingers.

“Wu Spanner.”

Margaret spoke, her voice quiet but carrying a natural authority and chilling pressure: “Your Spanner family truly has no respect for the law, arrogant to the extreme.”

She paused, glancing at the terrified Chief Wang beside them: “Your nephew committed a crime, the evidence is conclusive, yet you, as his elder, show no sense of responsibility. Instead, you came to the police station personally, openly threatening the officers and attempting to force them to release him.”

Her voice grew colder, like the frigid wind of midwinter: “Do you really think your Spanner family in Stonia can dominate everything, disregarding the law entirely?” - Marinien