s. He reached the stage in a few long strides and,

oed in the st

her cheek stinging, a copp

liar pain. She' d felt it for years, always when she dared to ste

y dry. The shock of the blow was already f

voice quiet but steady. "Does hitting me finall

at! After all I' ve done for you, taken you in, given you a home! This is how

who were now watching with a mixt

this scholarship! She honors your father'

, not from the slap, but from the

what was meant for his own blood? Governor, do you even remem

perate cry for recognition tha

ushed to her adoptive father

I... I should have told everyone. I' m just the adopted one. Sarah is the real daughter. She' s right. The schol

noble, so se

gain, this time with

a good

to give it all u

uly a monster, ma

ed as he looked at Jessica, his

he' d shown Sarah. "You are my daughter in every way that matters. You earned this scholarshi

apologize to Jessica and to our guests immediately. And then you will go to your room. We

ool, the one he always dan

portrait of her mother on the far wal

were here, would you treat her daughter this way?

face turned a dange

your disrespect! You are no daughter of hers, acting like this! From this moment on, consider your

bsolute. The finality of it settled over Sarah,

e main ballroom doors opened again, this time wi

our-Star General stood framed in the doorway. His eyes, s

rnal uncle, said, his voice like polished steel. "I beli