"I saw it." Hazel's voice finally cracked, just slightly. "With my own eyes. On video. You. Her. Your voice." She pulled her hands from his grip as if touching him burned. "I heard what you said about me. About my face. About how you couldn't even bring yourself to—"
She stopped. Swallowed. Composed herself.
Around them, the silence was absolute. Three hundred people holding their breath.
Nicolas opened his mouth, but nothing came out. For the first time, the smooth talker had no words.
Kevin Moretti rose from his seat. His face was dark and dangerous, his eyes fixed on Nicolas like a wolf sizing up prey.
"You touched my daughter," he said quietly. "You called her ugly. And you did it while engaged to her?"
"Mr. Moretti, I—"
"Don't." Kevin's voice was soft. Deadly. "Don't say another word to me."
