enter of the ballroom. She held a microphone handed to her by the event co

rfectly. "What just happened was a terrible misunderstanding. Please,

s of sympathy. Her fake grace made the woman standing alone b

he lounge to rest. Instead, she grabbed Kadyn's hand and wa

wrist, muttered a vicious curse under her bre

eningly sweet pity. "Dorene, I know you're hurting. I don't bl

ionless. She didn't even blink. She looked at Dol

rd the crowd and waved her hand. "Chuck? Could you c

hair slicked back with too much gel. He was notorious in the New York social scene-a t

yes immediately locked onto Dorene's bare back and the tight

Dorene, Chuck has always admired you. I think you two would be a perfect matc

ing nearby let out

high-society heiress to the biggest scumbag in

ortable with the setup. But he glanced down at Dolly

hand covered in tacky gold rings, aiming straight for Doren

s could even graze Doren

l bat. The heavy metal hardware of the bag cut through the air a

ac

stumbled backward, clutching his rapidly swelli

nt. Everyone stared in shock at th

a shaking finger right at Chuck's face. "Keep your filthy hands of

, stepping forward as if to strike Vivian. But Vivian didn't flinch. She raised the he

dyn's back. "Vivian! Are you crazy? How can you hi

a harsh, barking laugh. "Are you playing blind, you little bitch? You drag a

rough Dolly's "matchmaker" facade. Doll

Dolly. "Shut your mouth, Vivian!" he barked. "Stop causing a

his eyes. "Who the hell do you think you are? You're just a pathetic

lite made the veins in Kadyn's forehead bulge. He raise

out to turn into a physical

er friend firmly behind her. Dorene stepped forward, putting hers

e didn't look at Dolly. She didn't look at the whim

er overwhelming presence forcing

ng. Dorene was ready to ask the man