"What exactly do you think you're doing?"
"Take your people and get lost! Stop spreading this filth! It's because of money-poisoned vermin like you that everyone's heads are full of nothing but profit!
"You call yourself a Dickerson? Our family is a house of scholars! And you drag our name through the mud like this!"
I said nothing.
I just looked past him at the men he'd brought along.
My temp workers could afford jade bracelets.
His attendants still had patches sewn onto their trousers.
I clapped my hands together.
"New shop opening! Five cooks, ten clerks, one manager needed! Three silver a month, plus commission! Sign on and get equity shares!"
The men standing behind Elmer visibly froze.
From the moment they'd arrived, their eyes had been drifting over to my people.
Every few seconds, a flash of envy crossed their faces.
"Me!"
Someone was the first to throw down his club.
"Me too! Me too!"
"You—!"
One by one, the men around Elmer bolted toward me.
I waved them off with a laugh. "Too many, too many."
"I'm strong! Pick me!"
"I'll work part-time! I don't need the shares!"
Elmer's teeth ground together.
"You worthless dogs! Ungrateful scum!"
I looked up.
"Fine. I'll take all of you. Now, escort the prince consort back to his estate nice and safe. And while you're there, tell your brothers at the house that I'm hiring."
"Yes, sir!"
Elmer was dragged toward the carriage by his own men. He stared back at me, seething.
"You bastards! How dare you betray me! I'm the one who hired you! Let go of me!"
"Stop!"
A hand shot out, grabbed him, and pulled him behind her.
Before I could even register what was happening.
A slap cracked across my face.
Evelyn stared at me.
"You lowlife. How dare you."
I looked at her in disbelief.
The warmth and affection that once filled Evelyn's eyes when she looked at me were gone.
Replaced by nothing but cold indifference.
She turned and bowed to Elmer.
"He was never properly disciplined. Offending you like this is unforgivable."
Elmer steadied her by the arm.
He cast me a single frigid glance.
Evelyn spoke again.
"Everything Andrew just offered is void. All of you still work under Mr. Dickerson Sr. Anyone who tried to sign on with Andrew just now—
"Stay behind. Thirty lashes each."
My eyes went wide.
"Evelyn!"
Even Elmer clearly hadn't expected it.
After a beat of surprise, he turned to me with that trademark sneer of contempt.
"Then I thank the princess for her kindness."