Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 426: A Line You Don't Cross

Scarlet stepped forward and dropped into a deep, formal bow toward Cassian. Her voice still trembled, but every word was clear.

"Your Grace, please judge fairly. I, Scarlet, am registered at Stargazer Pavilion. Serving drinks and entertaining guests is part of my duty. As for how Rowan behaved before, I would not presume to comment. But Nikki is only hired here to do chores like cleaning, washing, and serving drinks. Her contract clearly states she is not required to attend guests."

She steadied herself and continued, "She is only fourteen. Forcing her like this goes against reason, against fairness, and against the rules."

Rowan's expression twisted. Seeing her dare to contradict him in public, anger surged, and he pointed at her, his voice sharp.

"You don't know what you're talking about. What's wrong with her being staff? I'll pay more. Double, triple, five times if I want. She's just some nobody from the countryside. How much money has she ever seen? What I'm offering could buy her entire family's future. Having her sit and drink with me is doing her a favor. It's more than she could ever hope for. How is that not acceptable?"

"Enough."

Elowen's anger flared. She clenched her teeth.

"So having money makes you above everything?" she shot back. "A woman's life doesn't matter to you? The lives of ordinary people don't matter? You think you can treat them however you like?"

Her gaze sharpened.

"Isn't your mother a woman? Or did your family never come from ordinary people? Say something that disgusting again, and I'll make you regret it."

Rowan froze for a moment under her words.

Cassian spoke, his tone calm.

"Very well."

He tilted his head slightly, as if giving a quiet instruction to the air. "Strike him."

"Yes, Your Grace."

The response came from nowhere.

Elowen felt a faint movement of air beside her.

A dark figure appeared instantly at Rowan's side. One hand locked onto his shoulder, holding him in place, while the other rose and came down hard with force.

A sharp crack rang out.

Then another.

The blows landed cleanly across Rowan's face.

The force sent his head snapping to the side, his cheek swelling almost immediately. The corner of his mouth split open, blood bright against his skin.

The figure released him, stepped back, and disappeared into the shadows just as quickly.

Rowan was stunned, his body swaying as he stumbled backward, barely caught by his men who had just managed to get up.

He clutched his face, dizzy, the taste of blood filling his mouth. For a long moment, he couldn't form a complete sentence.

At that moment, the steward of Stargazer Pavilion finally rushed over with several attendants, breathing heavily.

He looked to be around forty, pale and slightly heavyset, dressed in fine silk, but now his face was full of unease.

As soon as Rowan saw him, it was like seeing a lifeline. Ignoring the pain, he spoke through clenched teeth.

"Hey, you finally made it. You need to stand up for me. I've been a regular here for years, one of your biggest patrons. I've spent more gold here than most people see in a lifetime. The one behind this place won't just ignore this, will he?"

The steward didn't respond to him at all. He walked past him and stopped a few steps in front of Cassian, bowing deeply.

"Your Grace, I failed to welcome you properly. I deserve punishment. What brings you here today? Are you here to review the accounts, or is there some instruction from His Majesty regarding the establishment?"

Rowan stared at the scene.

Even someone slow to catch on would understand now.

The mysterious backer of Stargazer Pavilion was the Duke of Duskmoor.

Cassian remained expressionless. "I came with my wife for a meal."

The steward let out a small breath of relief, though tension still lingered. He quickly said, "It is an honor for us that Your Grace and Her Grace are here. I will arrange the finest dishes and the best private room at once."

He hesitated, glancing toward the two girls behind Elowen, then carefully added, "Your Grace, Rowan is indeed a long-time patron of our house. Especially on the upper levels, our rules have always been that as long as a guest can pay and requests a specific companion, whether for drinks, conversation, or even staying the night, such arrangements are permitted once payment is settled."

He continued cautiously, "Scarlet, though refined, does accompany guests for drinks as part of her role. As for the young girl, while she is a servant, in cases where a guest offers generous payment, there have been exceptions before."

Elowen's eyes widened. "So you're saying girls barely in their teens have been made to sit with guests? Or worse?"

The steward scratched his head.

"That... isn't considered unusual."

Elowen felt a chill settle in.

She had always thought Stargazer Pavilion was dazzling, almost unreal, like a place built on music, light, and indulgence.

Now she finally understood.

Beneath the polished surface, it was filled with things that were filthy, degrading, and impossible to ignore.