Richard's hand shot out with a suddenness that caught Evelina off guard. The slap landed sharply against her cheek, the sting biting into her skin. Her hand instinctively flew to her cheek, the heat of the slap still searing into her skin. But as quickly as the sting spread, her resolve hardened. She wouldn't show weakness, not in front of him
"Stop spouting nonsense and tell me..." Richard's voice was cold and seething, "what you're really after. You can't fool me, Evelina."
Her heart raced, but Evelina didn't flinch. She narrowed her gaze, fixing her father with a steady, unwavering stare. 'Of course, he's suspicious,' she thought, 'but I have to divert his attention. I can't let him see what I'm really up to.'
