"No! Mrs. Ashworth! Please, have mercy!" Clara threw herself at Mom's feet, clinging to her legs and sobbing hysterically.
"It's all my fault! Every bit of it! I seduced Gregory! He just made a mistake—you've always been the most important person to him, I swear!" Between sobs, she shot frantic looks at Dad, urging him on.
"Gregory! Apologize to Mrs. Ashworth! Swear you'll never see us again!" Dad's face had gone a sickly pale green, cold sweat dripping down his temples. He knew perfectly well that without the Sterling son-in-law title, all his shady dealings would be dug up by rivals overnight. Rotting in prison would be the least of his problems.
Finally, he dropped to his knees with a heavy thud and prostrated himself on the floor, bawling. "Honey! I'm sorry! All that was only a mome
