~Elsie's POV
Livia froze mid-step, her hands still poised as though ready to shove me again. She looked at him, her expression faltering, a mixture of surprise and fear, and for a split second, she seemed small. "But…." she started, her voice shaking slightly.
"I said stop!" Salvatore's voice thundered, echoing in the room. His gaze bore into her like fire, and even from where I stood, I could feel the intensity radiating, pressing against the very air around us.
I watched everything unfold, my chest tight, my hands clenching at my sides as Livia tried to step closer, arms reaching out like she wanted to grab him. But Salvatore didn't move toward her. He didn't even flinch under her attempt. Instead, his eyes locked on her, sharp and cold, and his voice, when it came, was a thunderclap. "Why are you bullying her?"
