“Ms. Stevens, please have a seat,” Zachary said warmly.

Aspen was caught off guard but quickly sat beside Andrew, feeling like she had entered a surreal dream. Never in her life had she imagined someone like Zachary Fischer–a living legend in the southern martial arts world–would personally invite her to sit.

“Ruth, go grab the two vintage bottles I’ve been saving,” Zachary added, turning to her with a tone that left no room for negotiation. “Tonight, I’m going all out for Mr. Lloyd.”

Ruth’s face tightened with resentment. Why was her man, always so powerful and untouchable, suddenly acting like a bootlicker?

However, when Zachary’s icy gaze locked onto her, she shuddered and hurried off to obey without another word.

Andrew chuckled, clearly amused. “Zac, you’re living large these days. And your woman? Man, she carries herself like she’s the damn queen.”

Zachary forced a bitter smile. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lloyd. Ruth’s gotten spoiled by me. I’ll discipline her better going forward.”

The two prized bottles were soon brought in, and Zachary poured the drinks himself–first for Andrew, then Aspen, and finally for himself.

When the bottle reached Ruth’s hands, Zachary’s expression turned cold.

“Ruth, you disrespected Mr. Lloyd today. Three shots, right now. Apologize properly.”

Ruth’s face flushed red with indignation. “Zac, can I just ask–why?!!”

Zachary’s tone dropped a notch. “You don’t need to ask why I told you to apologize, so you do it.”

Ruth glared at Andrew, slamming the bottle on the table. “Sorry, but I’m not doing it.”

She still had not forgotten the humiliation earlier, and now she was expected to grovel? Not a chance.

Zachary’s face darkened instantly. “Pour the drinks. Now.”

Ruth scoffed. “Unless you give me a damn good explanation, I’m not doing it!”

Andrew raised his hand with a faint smile. “Forget it. No real harm was done. An apology’s not that important.”

Aspen quickly chimed in, smiling politely. “Mr. Fischer, you don’t have to force Ms. Sinclair. It’s fine, really–just a misunderstanding.”

Both Ruth and Zachary were clearly not ordinary people. Even if Andrew did not seem the least bit afraid of Zachary, Aspen still felt it was better to keep things peaceful.

However, Zachary did not share that view. He snapped, “You stupid bitch, are you deaf? I said apologize!”

With no warning, he backhanded Ruth across the face again. Then, he grabbed her hair and slammed her face down against the table.

He growled, “Listen closely. Mr. Lloyd is someone I respect. You get that? You screwed up today, and instead of showing remorse, you’ve got the nerve to act like this?

“Mr. Lloyd might be generous enough to overlook your trash behavior, but I’m not. Either pour the drinks and apologize, or I’ll send you back to that club and let you return to what you used to be.”

Chapter 1029

Blood at the corner of her mouth, Ruth had now been slapped twice in one night. She sobbed, “Fine, fine! Zac, please don’t be mad. I’ll apologize! I’ll do it!”

Tears welled in her eyes as she finally caved, overwhelmed by fear. Everyone knew that Zachary had bought Ruth out of a luxury club. She existed at his whim–a trophy, a possession, his to command or discard.

Even so, it did not stop her from strutting around like a queen, basking in his affection, flaunting power she never truly owned.

Nonetheless, when Zachary got angry, all that vanished instantly. What terrified her even more was realizing that Andrew was someone her god-like man bowed to.

It was unfathomable.

With trembling hands, she poured three shots and offered them to Andrew one by one while apologizing.

When the last glass hit the table, she turned to Zachary, her voice weak and full of shame. “I’m sorry, Zac. I was wrong. I won’t ever do it again.”