Having been so preoccupied with Emmeline Hawthorne's sudden words, Matteo wasn't able to react in time before a large hand made contact with his cheek. His head veered to the side due to the force, and Emmeline's gasp quickly rang through the courtyard.
"Matteo, are you alright?" she cried out, hurriedly worming closer to have a look. But when Matteo side-stepped her to avoid her touch, Emmeline fell against the car, barely supporting herself against the door.
"Emmeline, darling, be careful!" Mrs. Hawthorne came stumbling over, her hand holding her beloved daughter tenderly. On the other hand, she shot a scathing look at Matteo, who did not even spare her a second glance.
Instead, his eyes were squarely on his father.
"You have got quite some nerve!" Matteo's father, Charles, fumed. His face had turned beetroot red, anger coloring his complexion as he jabbed a finger in Matteo's direction.
