To defy her to the bitter end...
Susan Sterling stared in a daze at Simone Holt. This was the first time she had ever seen this side of her daughter—a Simone who dared to contradict her, who dared to defy her.
Susan Sterling was clearly reeling from the shock. She pressed a hand to her forehead, her body starting to sway. Hadn't she thrown this lavish banquet with such great fanfare for the sole purpose of putting on a glamorous public display? But in the end, first, Aurora Sterling had publicly humiliated her, and now her own daughter was defying her so flagrantly.
This college acceptance banquet had turned into a joke—a complete and utter joke!
Seeing the state she was in, Susan Sterling's husband hurried forward to support her. "My apologies, everyone. Susan is a little unstable right now. I'm going to take her to get some rest. Please, continue to eat and drink. Forgive us for not being better hosts."
