Chapter 100

AMELIA

The whole hall went so silent that one could hear a pin drop. I had been expecting this, of course. I would have been a fool not to, but the silence was unnerving all the same. I fought the urge to cower, to back down. Instead I held my head high, looked right at the MC. These people thought the Donovans were finished, but I was going to correct that impression no matter what it took.

The silence was broken by the MC clearing his throat while adjusting the bow tie of his midnight blue suit. He took a sweeping look at the crowd and his shock changed to amusement at their surprised faces.

He chuckled and said, "Mrs Donovan. This is rather... unusual." He stole a glance at the table close to the stage where the mayor sat cleaning his glasses and blinking like an owl. "I will need a second to ask the mayor if you can accept the award on his behalf."

There was a rumble of conversation the moment the MC got off the stage. I kept my eyes fixed on their exchange, ignored th