Everyone was stunned.
Every gaze in the room snapped toward them.
Zane reacted instantly. He pulled Shawna behind him, shielding her with his body, then turned his head back and demanded, "What are you doing?"
But Shawna stood frozen in place.
Her entire body was trembling. She was gritting her teeth so hard they might c***k as she confronted the man across from her.
"Why are you here? I'm asking you—what right do you have to be here?!"
Her palm was still numb from the slap.
But Shawna's eyes remained locked on the man in front of her. The hatred blazing in them burned hotter than anything she had ever shown before.
The man looked to be around Zane's age, but his face was unfamiliar. Zane didn't recognize him.
Most of the guests invited to the Linton family's birthday banquet were
