Marina's face flushed deeper red, her fingers clenching into fists at her sides, but she tried to defend herself, her voice trembling but firm. "Mom… I am sorry…" she began, her eyes flickering up to meet Madeline's gaze for the first time, a spark of defiance in her voice. "Only after getting Kevin's permission…"
Madeline laughed—a sharp, bitter sound that echoed through the hallway like a slap. "Shut up…" she hissed, her voice low, dangerous, her finger pointing at Marina like a gun.
"Don't you know the rules?" Her eyes burned with fury, her posture rigid with authority.
"Male bodyguards are not allowed… anywhere near you…" She paused, her voice dropping to a whisper, venomous and cold. "…still…" The implication hung in the air, heavy with judgment and contempt.
Marina's breath hitched, her body trembling as if struck by a physical blow. She knew she'd fucked up. Badly. And Madeline was not the kind of woman to forgive—or forget.
