"Well, well. If it isn't my dear sister."
Vivienne Graves sauntered in with a mocking smile, a handful of socialites trailing behind her.
The moment she spotted Howard gripping my chin, she pouted and hurried over to loop her arm through his.
"Howard, why are you touching that filthy thing? She was just scrubbing the toilet. I bet she didn't even wash her hands."
Howard released me. He took the handkerchief Vivienne offered and wiped each finger, one by one, the fingers that had just touched me.
Then he tossed the handkerchief in my face.
"Just teaching her some manners."
His voice was flat, indifferent.
Vivienne doubled over laughing. She nudged my knee with the toe of her shoe.
"You know, sis, you really brought this on yourself. Didn't have the blood of an heiress but played the part anyway. And now look at you, polishing shoes for real royalty like us."
She lifted her foot and waggled her stiletto in front of my face.
"I stepped in gum. Disgusting."
"Since you're the professional here, sis, why don't you clean it off for me?"
A ripple of laughter passed through the socialites.
Howard stood to the side, one hand in his pocket, watching with cold detachment.
"What's the matter? Don't want to?"