Chapter Insight: What This Scene Reveals About the Story
This chapter uncovers emotional layers that quietly guide the story’s direction, revealing motivations beneath the surface. Their choices are shaped by deeper conflicts they struggle to express. Tension builds subtly, hinting at consequences that will echo beyond this scene. Emotional shifts here set the stage for how each character navigates challenges ahead.
Turning Points: Critical Moments That Shape the Chapter
This chapter introduces key shifts that alter the emotional tone and direction of the story. Confessions, confrontations, or hesitations act as catalysts, pushing characters to reassess themselves and each other. Small moments gain weight as they influence the broader arc.
Emotional Underflow: How Each Character Truly Feels Here
Behind every line lies an undercurrent of emotion the characters try to hide. Their internal struggles show through gestures and pauses, revealing truths they cannot fully voice. This chapter highlights how deeply their emotions shape their choices.
Shadows of the Past: Trauma & History Influencing This Chapter
Past experiences and old wounds influence every decision. Histories rise to the surface, adding weight to interactions and guiding present actions. Trauma and memory become driving forces in the unfolding drama.
Power Shifts: How Relationships Change in This Chapter
Emotional power shifts as characters confront uncomfortable truths. Vulnerability and strength move between them, reshaping relationships and forcing reconsideration of boundaries and roles.
Hidden Meanings: Symbolism Woven Into Key Scenes
Symbolic details enrich the chapter, mirroring internal struggles. Objects, settings, and gestures reveal deeper truths that words alone cannot express, tying personal conflict to the broader world.
Signals of What’s Coming: Foreshadowing in This Chapter
Subtle details foreshadow future conflicts and emotional revelations. Characters’ reactions hint at challenges ahead, planting seeds that will grow into significant turning points.
Lines That Hit Hard: Important Quotes & Why They Matter
Several lines carry emotional weight, revealing hidden fears, desires, and vulnerabilities. These quotes serve as anchors that stay with the reader and deepen the impact of the scene.
Chapter 71 Who Allowed You to Touch These Rings?Â
Chloe rushed between the two men, blocking both of their punches with one swift move.Â
The moment they saw her step in, they pulled back and stopped abruptly.Â
“What are you two doing?” Chloe demanded.Â
As soon as she came out, she caught sight of Brian and Ethan trading blows. And they didn’t seem like they were holding back either.Â
“I should be the one asking you that. Why did you jump in like that?” Lena asked. She ran over and grabbed Chloe. “Are you trying to get yourself killed? They were fighting so fiercely. What if one of theirÂ
punches had landed on you?”Â
Though her words were harsh, it was clear that she was worried.Â
“The fact that I jumped in means I obviously could protect myself,” Chloe replied. “I wouldn’t let myself get hurt.”Â
Even if Brian and Ethan hadn’t pulled back in time, she would still have been able to handle it.Â
“Fine, but no matter what, your safety comes first!” Lena said firmly. She just wanted to make sure thatÂ
Chloe was safe.Â
“I know,” Chloe answered. “By the way, why were they fighting?”Â
“They-” Lena started.Â
But Ethan cut her off, “I heard that Mr. Steele was skilled, so I wanted to spar with him a little.”Â
“Spar?” Chloe looked at Ethan suspiciously.Â
Ethan averted his gaze and quickly changed the subject. “Clo, where are you going? Let me drive you.”Â
“She’s coming back to the villa with me,” Brian said before Chloe could answer, frowning in displeasure.Â
“Yes, I’m currently Mr. Steele’s bodyguard, so I’ll be going back with him,” Chloe said.Â
Ethan pursed his lips at her words. “I’ll be in Yarfdale for a few more days. Call me whenever you’re free. IÂ
have so much to say to you, Clo.”Â
“Alright,” Chloe agreed. Then, she got into the car with Brian.Â
Ethan’s gaze was icy as he watched the car slowly drive off. If Brian wasn’t just toying with Chloe, thenÂ
could it mean he was serious?Â
And when the Steele family was serious…Â
He remembered what his mother, Lisa Earlhart, had once told him, “It’s best not to provoke the Steeles. Once they take something seriously, they won’t rest until they die.”Â
Chapter 71 Who Allowed You to Touch These Rings?Â
At the time, Ethan had brushed her off and said, “Mom, you’re exaggerating.”Â
But Lisa had insisted, “You only say that because you’ve never dealt with them. Madness runs in their blood. Crossing them will bring nothing but endless trouble.”Â
Her words still rang clear in his ears. But now, he had no choice but to provoke them.Â
He didn’t know what Brian was planning, but Ethan would never let him hurt Chloe, nor would he lose Chloe again.Â
2/4Â
Inside the car, Brian looked at Chloe. “Do you really believe Ethan and I were just sparring?”Â
“No,” Chloe replied bluntly.Â
“Then aren’t you curious about the real reason?”Â
“If you want to tell me, you will. If you don’t, asking won’t help. But…” Her tone hardened. “I told you before, don’t hurt Ethan. Otherwise, I won’t let you off!”Â
A glint flashed in Brian’s eyes. “And if he hurts me?”Â
“You have so many bodyguards around you. He can’t get through them to hurt you, Mr. Steele,” Chloe said.Â
Brian lowered his gaze slightly. There were many kinds of wounds, after all. And some, no bodyguardÂ
could protect against.Â
“Do you hate calling me by my name so much?” he suddenly asked.Â
Chloe froze. “Brian.”Â
She said his name like he wanted. “Don’t hurt Ethan. I don’t want to end up being your enemy either.”Â
Brian’s lashes trembled faintly as bitterness rose in his throat.Â
Why did he feel like this? Was it because he cared more and more about her?Â
“Alright, I won’t hurt Ethan,” he said softly, lifting his gaze to look at her. “Because I don’t want to be yourÂ
enemy.”Â
Just the thought of standing against Chloe made him feel deeply uncomfortable. It was almost as if his instincts were screaming that he would regret it for his whole life if it ever happened.Â
In Corvessia, Sonya was finally released from the detention center.Â
Curtis and Luke went to pick her up.Â
The moment they got in the car, Luke said, “Sonya, do you know how much Curtis has run himself ragged these past few days for you? He barely slept. They say true feelings reveal themselves in hard times. IfÂ
Chapter 71 Who Allowed You to Touch These Rings?Â
this isn’t love, then I don’t know what it is!”Â
“Enough, Luke. Stop talking!” Curtis snapped.Â
“What? Are you shy now?” Luke teased. “Anyway, I’d bet good money that Sonya ended up in theÂ
detention center because of Chloe. She must have pushed the military to call the police just to bring Sonya down.”Â
3/4Â
Sonya already hated Chloe to begin with. Hearing this only fanned her fury, and she scoffed coldly. “IÂ
despise people who resort to underhanded tricks the most. If Chloe has a problem with me, she shouldÂ
face me openly. I didn’t expect her to stoop this low.”Â
The ordeal had made Sonya hate Chloe to the core.Â
She had already suffered humiliation at the airport because of what Chloe did. To be locked up after thatÂ
was utterly unbearable.Â
And worse was that this detention would be recorded in her files. It meant that, even if she managed toÂ
keep her co–pilot position, she would never advance further.Â
Chloe had essentially destroyed Sonya’s career prospects.Â
“Chloe is nothing compared to you, Sonya. She’s a petty schemer who hides behind her parents‘ status as heroes to manipulate situations. Does she really think that taking you down will make Curtis go back toÂ
her?” Luke sneered.Â
“Luke, that’s enough!” Curtis roared.Â
Luke scowled. “You already divorced Chloe, so why are you still defending her? She’s not your wife anymore. Did you forget how she embarrassed you at that press conference?”Â
Curtis‘ chest tightened.Â
That press conference. If he had been humiliated that day, it was because of his own actions.Â
“Chloe isn’t the kind of person who schemes against others,” he said bitterly.Â
No matter what, when Curtis looked back at their three years of marriage, Chloe had never once tried to manipulate him. If anything, he had taken her devotion for granted, never once thinking to repay her.Â
“What’s gotten into you? You’re actually standing up for her?” Luke asked in surprise.Â
A flicker of unease crossed Sonya’s eyes. Curtis had never cared about Chloe before, and now he was defending her? Her mind began to wander.Â
Could it be…Â
No, she tried to reassure herself that it was impossible.Â
The car pulled up to a restaurant where Curtis had already reserved a private room. Once they wereÂ
inside, he removed his suit jacket and set it aside. Just then, his phone rang.Â
Chapter 71 Who Allowed You to Touch These Rings?Â
4/4Â
“I have to take this call,” Curtis said, picking up the phone and stepping out of the room.Â
Sonya picked up Curtis‘ jacket, intending to hang it on the coat rack. But as she lifted it, something slipped out from the pocket and clattered to the floor.Â
She bent down and picked it up. It was a pair of plain rings, the kind that looked like they came from aÂ
street vendor.Â
When did Curtis ever own rings like these?Â
Just then, Curtis walked back in. The moment he saw the rings in Sonya’s hand, his expression changed drastically. He rushed forward and snatched them away.Â
“Who allowed you to touch these rings?”Â
Spin to Claim Your Surprise Reward!Â
Closing Reflection
This chapter ends with shifting emotions and unresolved tension, hinting at deeper conflicts and unspoken truths. Choices made here will shape what follows, and the weight of this moment lingers as a quiet turning point.
Next Chapter Teaser
The next chapter will build on these consequences, drawing characters into challenges they can no longer avoid. Tension will rise, secrets will surface, and new revelations will reshape the path ahead.
Reader Engagement
This chapter raises questions about motivations, emotions, and relationships. Which moment mattered most? Who revealed more than they intended? How might events here reshape the bonds between characters?
World/Lore Connection
Beneath the emotions lies the broader world’s influence. Unseen rules, histories, and power structures shape choices and outcomes, adding weight to every action taken in this scene.
One-Line Ending
With this chapter complete, the story steps into a new phase filled with uncertainty, tension, and possibility.