A heavy silence settled over the ballroom as everyone waited for Evelyn's answer. What would she demand as justice?

But before she could speak, her father Richard rushed forward and dropped to his knees before Alexander.

"Mr. Sinclair! Please forgive my foolish daughter! She doesn't know what she's saying!" he pleaded desperately.

Evelyn looked down at the man who had just slapped her and called her a liar. Whatever remained of her love for him died in that moment.

"Stand up, Father," she said coldly. "You're embarrassing yourself."

Richard stared at her, shocked by her tone and the coldness in her voice.

Evelyn turned back to Alexander. "Grandfather, my only...