Chapter 46

After hearing everything that had been said, the guests all knew full well just what kind of people the Grays were. All the pity and cordiality they felt toward them were swiftly replaced with scorn and derision. Francis and Rachel were aghast. They had no idea why Sheila seemed to have suddenly lost her mind. Rachel was tearing up, but she tried to explain, "That's not true. My mom is just saying nonsense. We didn't treat Shannon like that—" Before she could finish speaking, someone in the crowd snorted—it was Clara Leigh, the young woman in black. She was the one who first mocked Rachel for dressing up as though she were the star of tonight's event. Clara remarked, "Save it. Even the people all the way in Jamborough can smell how fishy this whole thing is. Why bother pretending like we can't tell what you Grays are trying to do?" Several other guests laughed mockingly as well. Rachel, who had never suffered such grievances before, forgot all about her parents. Covering her fa