Page 68 of The Billionaire's Princess

My father pauses. Slowly turns to go.

A nasty smile inches its way across Damon’s face. A crooked smile. A soulless smile.

“Why rush off?” He hands a flute to my father, then one to me. I numbly take it. “I thought we should toast to Carly’s success tonight. She’s got everyone eating out of her hand. Well, she already had me and Percy eating out of her hand, but now she’s got everyone else, too.”

I stiffen.

“To Princess Carly,” he says, raising his glass. “Skilled painter and bewitcher of true billionaires like Percy and wannabe billionaires like me. Long may she reign.”

I flinch as he downs his champagne, puts the empty glass on a nearby tray and, lobbing a final glare in my direction, stalks off, taking all the room’s air with him.

The sight of him walking off—possibly walking out of my life—jars me into action.

“If you ruin things for me, I’ll never forgive you, Daddy,” I furiously whisper at my father, then take off after Damon.

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