Larissa's POV
"You handled everything perfectly in there," Carson said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between us in the car. His voice carried a note of admiration that made my chest tighten. "The way you stood up to Ella and spoke about your career impressed my grandfather."
"Did it really?"
"Rick Gary doesn't hand out compliments easily. When he called you a fine young woman, that was practically a standing ovation from him."
A small smile tugged at my lips. "Your grandmother gave me the warmest hug when we left."
"Sabrina doesn't embrace just anyone. She's fiercely protective of this family."
"She warned me not to let Ella intimidate me."
Carson's jaw tightened slightly as he glanced in my direction. "Good advice. Ella's threats are mostly empty."
"Her friends at that charity event certainly weren't bluffing," I said, remembering the vicious encounter with Dora and Queenie.
