"She actually had the nerve to sneak backstage today and cause a scene, trying to sabotage Miss Abbott's red carpet moment."
"Get her out of here. Drag her out before she dirties everyone's evening."
The room erupted.
Countless camera flashes fired at once, capturing me on my knees.
He wanted to use this to destroy my dignity.
The bodyguards seized my arms and hauled me toward the doors, out into the pouring rain.
Dominic stood with his arm around Millicent's waist, watching me go.
"Gabriella, this is what happens when you don't behave."
"Tonight, you can sleep on the street and think about what you've done."
They threw me into the mud outside the backstage doors.
The rain hammered down, washing the blood from my knees in thin red rivulets.
I lay in the filth, staring back at the two of them glowing under the red carpet lights, and a cold smile curled across my lips.
From my soaked pocket, I fished out a black encrypted phone.
My fingers trembled as I punched in a number.
Abner Griffin's private line.