laughed nervously.
“Oh, ignore that old thing,” he said, grabbing Elena’s arm. “I keep telling her not to wear flea-market junk to formal events. Go stand back in the corner, Elena. You’re embarrassing me.”
Richard’s voice suddenly thundered across the ballroom.
“Take your hands off her. Now.”
Silence fell instantly.
Julian released Elena.
“Sir, I—”
Richard ignored him.
He stepped slowly toward Elena, tears forming in his eyes.
“That necklace…” he whispered. “Where did you get it?”
Elena swallowed.
“It belonged to the woman who raised me. She found me
