Thomas' arm was taut, muscles rigid as stone as he tightened his grip around Maggie's neck, lifting her off the ground.
Her legs kicked frantically, and her fingers clawed desperately at his hand as her eyes began to roll back, nearly passing out.
I stepped forward, placing a gentle hand over his.
"I'm fine, Thomas, really," I whispered. "Let her go, okay?"
Thomas released her, and Maggie collapsed in a heap on the floor, gasping for air and coughing violently, tears streaming down her face.
"I'll... I'll tell Madam, and she'll make you...
"Shh." I knelt before her, my finger tracing the red mark on her neck. "Upset the wrong guests, and you know Isabella won't take it lightly. Imagine how she'll punish you for disgracing her."
Maggie froze, fear washing over her face.
Isabella car
