I stood my ground as Beatrice Sterling's shrill voice echoed across the manicured lawn. Her finger was inches from my chest, trembling with rage.
"Get out! Get out now before I call security!" she screeched.
Before I could respond, the heavy front door swung open again. Gideon Blackwood stepped out, his normally impeccable appearance slightly disheveled. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his usual arrogant smirk was nowhere to be seen.
"Let him in," Gideon said, his voice uncharacteristically subdued.
Beatrice whirled around. "What? Gideon, you can't be serious! After what he did—"
"I said let him in." Gideon's tone left no room for argument. He avoided meeting my eyes.
Simon Sterling stepped forward, placing a protective arm around his wife's shoulders. "Son, this man humiliated your wife—our daughter—in front of all of Veridia City's elite. Surely you don't want him in our home."
Gideon's jaw tightened. "William asked to see him."
