"Firstly, I want to apologize for what you've been through Michael," Lord Winterborne said, his tone sincere. "It was never my intention for you to be subjected to such… torture by the noble families."
"I had known that they would be upset, but I did not think that they would be so brazen as to attack you directly. At most, I had figured it would result in some posturing—something that isn't uncommon for the younger generation."
He continued, "If anything, I expected to receive many complaints directed at me. I was even prepared for the whole noble circle to shun our family…"
Michael nodded slowly, not interrupting. He wasn't yet convinced, but it appeared that everything would be revealed if he was patient. He could see in the corner of his eye that Melody was also in the same boat.
Brian looked at his daughter briefly, the care and affection in his eyes unmistakable in that moment, yet there was a slight sadness in his gaze. He turned back to Michael and sighed softly.
