And then, as Edward sprang to his feet, staring at her, his anger mounting like an approaching tidal wave, the room was plunged into smothering silence.

"An accident? Mary, do you seriously think some car collision was an accident? Remember, Brian is as much my son as he is yours! Where is Vik? Bring him back here immediately!" he yelled.

Mary's face went pale. She was so shocked that not a tear was flowing out of her; her voice shook. "What are you going to do to Vik?!"

"He has taken one of Brian's legs; let him pay for it with one of his own," Edward said icily.

She could...