Fiona Dalton's palm never met Mason Shaw's face.
The moment she raised her hand, Felix Preston lunged forward and seized her wrist as she swung it down.
With a sharp CRACK, a hand like an iron vise clamped around Fiona Dalton's wrist. A piercing pain shot up from the bone, twisting her features in agony.
"Ah!" she shrieked, her body lurching sideways from the force of Felix Preston's grip.
"Felix Preston!" Desperate to protect her mother, Cecilia Quincy rushed forward, heedless of the risk. But before she could even touch Fiona Dalton, Mason Shaw grabbed her by the shoulder and shoved her back.
"Looking for trouble? You'd better check whose turf you're on!"
Shoved back once, Cecilia Quincy didn't dare approach again. She could only cower to the side and yell at Felix Preston, "Felix Preston! Let go of my mom!"
