Adrian Shaw's face cycles through confusion, terror, and then grim understanding. His eyes dart between me and his daughter, who's still pressed against the wall with blood streaming from her nose.
"Seraphina," his voice cuts through the restaurant like a whip. "Get over here. Now."
"Daddy, what are you—"
"NOW!"
She stumbles forward, her designer heels clicking nervously on the tile floor. Behind her, Scarlett Finch shrinks into the corner, probably wishing she could disappear entirely.
Adrian grabs Seraphina by the shoulder, spinning her to face me. His grip is hard enough to leave bruises.
"This man could have killed you today. Do you understand that? This man could end our entire family with a phone call. And you almost struck him?"
"I didn't know—"
The slap comes so fast I barely see Adrian's hand move. The sound cracks through the air like breaking wood. Seraphina's head snaps to the side, and she staggers.
