"Mr. Blake, there must be some misunderstanding. Couldn't we work something out?"
Louise tried to salvage the situation, explaining it was just a momentary lapse in judgment. "Sir, why don't you ask Grace if this is all just a big misunderstanding?"
Dad's eyes bore into me, silently ordering me to plead their case.
When I needed support, he took the other side.
He wanted me to help Louise and Oliver but didn't hesitate to throw me under the bus.
Two women appeared in the doorway. One plump and one tall.
"Which one of you is Mrs. Clarke?"
I recognized them as Gilbert and Jane's mothers and quickly pointed at Louise.
"That's her right there."
In a flash, Gilbert's mother, Diana Gomez, lunged forward, grabbed Louise by the collar, and slapped her twice across the face.
Everyone froze in shock!
The color drained from Oliver's face as he stood there, paralyzed.
