My husband's expression darkened, but before he could speak, Doreen let out a light laugh. "It's just a few employees, Mrs. Sanchez. Why so worked up? Unless they're all loyalists you planted inside the company?"
I locked my eyes on Doreen, the fury I'd been holding back finally clawing its way to the surface.
"Doreen Stephens, shut your mouth!"
"You said we were playing a party dare? Go ahead. Ask every single person in this room whether we were playing a party dare."
"You said my mother and I planned this together. Where's your proof? Did you hear it with your own ears? Do you have it on video?"
Doreen's expression flickered.
I didn't look at her again. I turned to the paramedics. "My mother genuinely needs emergency treatment. Please—"
"Wait!"
Doreen's voice cut through the room.
"Mrs. Sanchez, I didn't want to take things this far. I wanted to leave you some dignity. But you forced my hand."
She turned to my husband.
"Mr. Sanchez, didn't you hear it yourself? Mrs. Sanchez and her mother conspiring to fake an illness and deceive the paramedics?"
My head snapped toward my husband. My heart hammered, caught between desperate hope and sickening dread as I waited for his answer.