Everyone froze.
No one had expected me to, without warning, deliver that smack in front of everyone.
Clara’s cheek burned; her breath came in sharp gasps.
Even with Liam and Cole present, no one moved fast enough to stop it.
Liam lunged forward and grabbed my wrist.
“Nina! What are you doing? Apologize to Clara this instant!”
Apologize?
Apologize—for her humiliation?
I lifted my eyes and stared at his flushed, furious face.
“Let go.”
Two words—simple, but resolute. His hand went rigid, and he loosened his grip as if by reflex.
I pulled my hand back, massaging the bruised spot where he’d squeezed, my expression cold.
Lily hurriedly spoke, voice trembling, “Nina, Clara spoke too bluntly, but you can’t hit her—especially not in front of the Moon Goddess statue... you’ll be punishe
