Phoebe Lockwood simply grabbed her arm to keep her from leaving, snapping, "Say that again!"
"I'm not getting it," Claire repeated coolly.
Just as Phoebe Lockwood was about to lose her temper, she caught a few familiar figures out of the corner of her eye. She immediately put on a pitiful act, shaking Claire's arm and whining.
"Please, Claire, go get it for me. If you help me with this, I'll do anything you ask from now on. I'm begging you."
'What's going on?'
Claire was a little baffled.
Her confusion lasted until hurried footsteps approached from behind, followed by a flustered voice. "Vera, what's wrong? What is it? Hurry and tell Daddy."
Phoebe Lockwood turned to face Governor Lockwood, releasing Claire's hand. With a voice that was clearly aggrieved yet still held a smile, she said, "Dad, it's nothing, really. I just forgot my speech draft and asked a colleague to grab it for me, but she absolutely refuses."
