cks of spit flew from her red lips. "It is eight

lightly to the left, letting the spit fly past her face.

d. She raised her hand high in the air, her heavy gold ring

cle memory

clamped her fingers around Marge's wrist,

ank her arm back, but Cora's

isted her wrist sharply downward, putting

e let out a blood-curdling scream. Her knees buckled instantly, and she c

at the woman kn

er voice dangerously soft, "and

ootsteps pounded

wearing his suit trousers and an undershir

ling on the floor, screaming in pain, while

iolent shade of red. The

ward, pulling his right arm back. He threw a he

t. She didn't step back. S

nd's momentum carried him forward, Cora dropped her

mmed into Le

rom under him. His massive body crashed ont

d. She planted the heel of her bare foot directly onto the cent

wrist, until her back hit the wall. She pointe

r chest heaving, tears of pain and fury str

he shifted her weight, pressing her

is hands clawing uselessly at Cora

he patted Leland's

Her voice was calm, almost conversation

d back and wiped the bottom of her foot on th

backward across the floor, pressing himself against hi

t handle the humiliation. He rub

raspy. "I'll cut off the payments. Your brother

thing to her. But her brain instantly calculated the sit

r eyes, faking a

a nasty, triumphant grin

o put on a dress, and you're going to come to Veronica's wedding tomorrow. Y

ial circles still insisted on using the matriarchal empire's name, Mercer. It was a relic of old money bra

Cora sai

walked straight into the maste

athroom door shut, cutt

ge whining and demanding Le

handles. Freezing cold water blasted out of the faucet. She

She looked at herself in the mirror. The terrifie

ng echoed

sical Deterrence. Plot de

nter. She stared at her reflection, a crue

ily was going to have a