Gasps echoed across the restaurant.
Alex blinked in shock, the coppery taste of blood at the corner of her lip, her pulse roaring in her ears as she tried to process what the hell just happened.
And who the hell just slapped her?
A sharp, searing pain shot through the arm she used to break her fall, and her cheek throbbed where the slap had landed. Tears sprang to her eyes, not from weakness but from sheer shock.
She couldn't even process the sting fast enough before she heard a shrill voice.
"You gold digging bitch!"
The voice was familiar. Too familiar.
Alex blinked through the pain and looked up, only to find Sierra over her, eyes blazing with fury and pure loathing. Her usually perfect composure was gone, replaced by wild eyes.
"What the hell?" Alex choked out, eyes narrowing in confusion and rage. "W-what is wrong with you?"
Before Sierra could respond, Julian shoved her out of the way, instantly arriving at her side.
