Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 8

“I heard she’s the one who pushed Miss Mara down the stairs. A brat like that needs some harsh discipline.”

…

Mr. Mercer’s face was a mask of disgust as he scowled at Mira. “Why are you here looking like that? Didn’t you even change your clothes or clean yourself up. Have you forgotten your manners?”

Mrs. Mercer—Lacey—and her other brothers also glared at her with displeasure.

“Showing up without even tidying yourself up, what is wrong with you?” Damon couldn't help but complain.

For Mira to appear like this at such an important event was a deep embarrassment to him.

Just then, someone in the crowd started heckling.

“Apologize!”

“Apologize!”

The voices of the younger guests merged into a massive wave of sound that echoed through the hall.

…

Mara’s lips curled into an involuntary smirk as Mira approached.

*Look at her,* she thought. *Still trying to act all elegant and confident? Soon, she’ll be nothing but dust under my feet.*

“You don’t have to apologize, little sister. I forgive you.”

“Oh, but I have to apologize, don’t I? Wasn’t it you, dear sister, who suggested I make a public apology? Besides, I’ve been left to rot in a dark basement without a scrap of food or a sip of water for thirty hours. Is this the 'discipline' you all wanted to see?”

“No, sister, you’ve misunderstood…”

Mira cut her off by grabbing the microphone.

“Doesn’t everyone want to hear me apologize? Well, you’d better listen closely.”

“How wonderful that you’ve finally seen the light,” Julian said, his lips curling into a smirk.

“Since that’s the case, go on and show everyone how sorry you are.”

This sister of his had become an expert at putting on a show, acting one way to their faces and another behind their backs. Who knew if she was being sincere or just faking it?

Mira shot him a glance but ignored him, continuing her speech.

“Yesterday, my biggest mistake was running into my sister on the stairs. I’ll be more careful next time. I promise to stay far, far away from her the moment I see her. You see, what you all might not know is that my dear sister’s talent for framing people is truly legendary. After this whole ordeal, not only is my reputation ruined and my future destroyed, but if I hadn’t agreed to apologize today, I might have even lost my life.”

Mira took a breath, the words seeming to have taken all her strength.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify