I stood coldly by the doorway, watching the group laugh and make merry.
Now and then, one of my coworkers would glance over at me with a strange, disapproving look.
Amid the lively noise, there was suddenly a loud crash, the sound of breaking glass.
Everyone turned to look at Mara and the painting lying shattered on the floor.
Shards from the broken frame had cut into the artwork itself, and red wine from Mara's glass had spilled across its surface.
Mara stared at Linnea, her face filled with panic.
I hurried over to the painting and nearly felt faint with anger.
This was the same piece Hayden had admired so deeply when we attended an auction three years ago, and now it had been ruined by Mara.
"This work, 'Autumn in the Palace', is worth six million dollars. Even if you had
