a Holm

spotlight. He adjusted the microphone and launched into his reh

him, playing the role of th

he ballroom. I downed the rest of my cham

black dress. I took a deep breath, feelin

adows and began walking

rble floor. The sound cut through the lo

r glass, her mou

mile faltered. She grabbed Edmund's bicep,

rom the stage. When he saw me walking straig

ng?" he hissed, leaning aw

carpeted steps onto the stage. The sp

MC standing at the edge of the stage and smoo

aid to the MC wi

at me. The press pit at the back of the room went into a

ice echoed through the massive

umors." I paused, turning my head slightly to loo

ally, as of this exact momen

the ballroom. Diane took a step

cing through the rising noise. The r

officially announcing that

sps, and the frantic flashing of

unadulterated shock. He took a st

d toward the back door

he crowd. He walked with aggressive purpose, marchi

right up

the man as

paralyzed. He gave a

hard against Edmund's chest. Edmund ref

ed," the process

The NHL captain, the untouchable heir, stood frozen in

h-pitched squeak an

to my lips. "Thank you all. En

on the podium. I didn'

pine perfectly straight, and walked back

doors into the cool night air, Zuri w

ssive grin on her face. "Fla