"Enough!" Shards of ice glittered in his eyes. "You still have the nerve to lose your temper at Naomi? You're wearing a base layer. The photos will be censored. What exactly are you pretending to be so precious about?"
My cheek burned, a stinging red mark blooming across my skin. But the pain was nothing—*nothing*—compared to the agony ripping through my chest.
The press conference had transformed into my public execution.
From start to finish, I was the only one on trial.
As I unzipped the dress, mocking laughter filled the air. Lips smacked wetly. Naomi hoisted her camera, the shutter clicking in rapid bursts, capturing every second of my shame.
"Here's a headline for you," she purred, venom dripping from every syllable. "'Retribution Never Fails—Thief Apologizes Naked in Public.' What do you think?"
The reporters cheered, feeding on the spectacle like vultures on carrion.
Joel watched me, twisted admiration flickering in his gaze—not for me. For Naomi's handiwork. "Looks like you'll own the front page tomorrow."
She looked down at me from her high vantage point, eyes gleaming with contempt and triumph.