“She’s overwhelmed,” I replied carefully. “It’s a lot of people—”
Natalie’s eyes hardened.
“I didn’t ask for commentary. Take her to the garage. She can wait in the car until she learns to regulate her emotions. I won’t have her ruining this night.”
The word “garage” landed like a warning bell.
“It’s dangerously hot,” I said. “The heat index is—”
Natalie smiled thinly.
“Then she’ll remember the lesson.”
Grant was across the room, surrounded by investors, unaware that his daughter was being quietly sentenced by the woman he planned to marry.
I squeezed Elena’s hand.
“We’ll be back soon,” I whispered, lying to both of us.
I had no idea that within twenty minutes, the night would fracture into screams, shattered glass, and consequences no amount of money could contain.
