"Lois Simmons. You're just as useless as your mother. Couldn't even protect a core patent. Just stood there and watched while someone leaked it, drove her into a heart attack, and now you can't even take a decent photograph. Your hands are shaking like a leaf."
"A deserter on the battlefield. You couldn't even protect your own mother. What makes you think you deserve to stand beside the Godfather of Sicily? Let alone hold the title of his wife."
I gripped the camera so hard my knuckles went white. My nails dug into my palms, nearly breaking skin. Every ounce of willpower I had went into holding back the fury threatening to erupt.
Then a sharp, vicious slap cracked across my face.
The sound rang out, crisp and piercing.
Burning pain bloomed instantly, spreading across my cheek. My ears buzzed with a high-pitched ringing.
Selene lowered her hand, her eyes brimming with contempt and disdain. Her voice turned even more venomous.
"You actually think you deserve to sit in the Godfather's wife's seat? I never imagined that after Grayson dumped you, you'd latch onto Samuel so quickly. Absolutely shameless."