Annabel stuttered, struggling to form words, but nothing came out of her mouth.
"Are you okay?" Mrs. Torres asked, irritation evident in her voice. She crossed her arms, her sharp gaze cutting into Annabel. "I asked you a simple question—why are you dressed that way?" Her tone grew harsher, laced with anger.
"Ma’am, I’m dressed this way because—"
"Because I took her to a party," Andrew interrupted, stepping forward smoothly. His voice was calm, confident, but his mother’s expression didn’t soften. "Mom, I brought Annabel with me because I needed an assistant by my side."
Mrs. Torres narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him as if she could see right through his excuse. "You could have taken a security guard," she pointed out, her gaze flickering back to Annabel, who shifted uncomfortably. "I
