THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.

At that moment, upon hearing what Victoria just said, Robert couldn't help but shake his head slowly in disappointment. He wasn't just annoyed, he was exhausted. He hadn't expected to run into her here, especially not in this very spot, at this particular hour. But of course, knowing Victoria, she was always lurking in places she shouldn't be, especially when it had something to do with Cora.

Without even asking, he already knew what she had been doing. The look on her face, the smugness in her voice it told him everything. She had most likely been in the middle of another conversation about Cora, gossiping, strategizing, planning her next move like she was playing some twisted game. That was always her way pretend like she's above it all, when deep down, she's knee-deep in the mud of her own schemes.

Then Robert folded his arms across his chest, letting out a tired sigh of disappointment.

Then he looked directly at Victoria, not blinking, not smiling. His voice was calm, but it carried a weight. "Well, sorry to disappoint you, Victoria. But I'm not here to apologize for anything."

He paused and tilted his head just slightly, his tone sharpening. "Now tell me what exactly have I done that requires an apology? Did I offend you somehow? Or is this one of those moments where you expect everyone to grovel just because you feel entitled to it?"

The room grew tense. Victoria's lips twisted into a look of disgust, her eyes narrowing like she had just been slapped in public. She wasn't used to people standing their ground, especially not Robert. She had always assumed she had some kind of unspoken power over him, maybe because of their past, or maybe because of how entangled things used to be.

She scoffed, then stepped forward with her arms still folded tightly across her chest. "So, big brother you're not here to apologize?" she asked with a mocking tone, loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. "Then why did you come?"

At that moment, upon hearing what Victoria just said, Robert's eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched tightly. There was no hint of a smile on his face only sheer disappointment and a storm brewing in his chest. He didn't expect to run into her here, not today, not now. And seeing her standing there, arms folded with that smug expression plastered across her face, only confirmed one thing she had to be involved in some sort of twisted plan, probably scheming again about Cora or pushing Abigail's agenda further.

He didn't need anyone to tell him that. He could see it all over her face. That subtle grin, the way her eyes rolled when she spoke, and the unspoken pride she carried as if she had something over him. But not today.

Robert took one step closer, his voice low but firm, "Well, that's none of your business, Victoria. So keep your mouth out of it."

Immediately Victoria raised a brow at him, but Robert didn't let her cut in. He continued sharply, "Let me just warn you now, I'm not here to listen to any of your blabbing. I'm your elder brother, and I advise you to give me that respect."

He took a pause, his breathing heavier now, eyes locked on hers like a man holding back a flood of rage. "I'm not going to condone any other thing you're going to say here to me, because Victoria, I'm extremely serious about this. Don't push me."

For a moment, silence filled the space between them. But it wasn't calm. It was thick, and tense.

Hearing the words that just came out of Robert's mouth, and more importantly, seeing the dead serious expression on his face, Victoria felt a sudden chill run down her spine. She had seen Robert angry before but this wasn't just anger. It was raw and cold. The kind of anger that didn't shout or throw fists it just stared right through anyone like fire waiting to ignite.

She took a small step back, arms still folded but her confidence clearly shaken. "Fine," she mumbled, raising her hands slightly in a half-surrender, trying to appear unfazed, though her eyes said otherwise. "You better don't try to play smart here or threaten anyone. That's what I just have to say."

Then her tone shifted. Cold. Caution laced her next words like venom. "Be wary of everything you say today, because if not… you should know that there's somebody above you who also doesn't take shit. That is Dad."

At that moment, Robert's expression was unreadable cold, collected, and calm but the silence in his steps was loud. As he walked past Victoria without acknowledging her presence or her words, she was left standing awkwardly, lips slightly parted, expecting a response that never came. But Robert was already steps ahead, his gaze fixed on Abigail.

He came to a stop right in front of her. For a second, he didn't say a word. He just stood there, staring directly into her eyes eyes that had once held affection for him, but now mirrored nothing but challenge. Abigail folded her arms across her chest and arched a brow with clear irritation.

"Why the sudden look?" she asked sharply. "You came all the way here, Robert. That means you clearly have something on your chest. So say it and stop wasting both our time. I don't have the patience for whatever it is you're trying to do."

Her voice was cool but biting, each word hitting like a subtle slap. Robert blinked once, and the corner of his lips curled, but it wasn't a smile. It was something darker disappointment maybe, or disgust.

"Oh…" he began, his voice laced with a slow bitterness, "so you're already prepared to fight whatever I'm going to say? That's good. That's not even new with you. You've been doing that from the start."

The he took another step closer, his voice tightening with every word. "You act too entitled, Abigail. Always have. You talk and behave like the world should revolve around you. You think you're untouchable, as if you're above everyone else. Like you can treat people however you please and no one should question you."

Hearing Robert word's Abigail's face twitched slightly, but she didn't interrupt him. She stood her ground, lips pursed and chin lifted.

Robert's tone grew heavier. "And if you can talk to me...me, the man you once claimed you were going to marry like this, with this arrogance, then tell me… what would you have done if I was just some random man on the street? What would you have done if I wasn't from a name that carried weight?"

He paused, letting that question hang in the air. The silence was cold. Abigail's fingers flexed at her side.

"You see," he continued, voice lower now, but cutting deeper, "that attitude of yours? It's dangerous. It's ugly. And worse, it's going to lead you nowhere. You better fix it, Abigail. You better start working on it… not just for others, but for yourself."