The Price of Disrespect

The room that had been buzzing fell abruptly silent; every side-branch cousin swallowed whatever protest had been on the tip of the tongue.

As everyone exchanged looks, Monica clenched her jaw and spoke up. "Mr. Vancroft, I know Sloane is your girlfriend, but you don't have to invent fairy tales for her sake."

"Fairy tales?" Killian let out a low snort. "If I prove every word to be true, what pric