Chapter 17

Megan and her mother remained at the hospital long after Mr. Devins had left. Joyce Hale was exaggerating her injuries, convincing the doctors into keeping her overnight for "observation" when she was perfectly capable of going home. When Megan returned with Starbucks for both of them, her face was lit with a triumphant smile. "I just got off the phone with Dad," Megan announced, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight. Joyce leaned forward eagerly, "And?" "He's completely turned against Georgina," Megan said. "He's convinced she's the one who attacked you. When he demanded she apologize and she refused..." Megan paused for effect. "What did Harold do?" Joyce pressed, barely able to contain her excitement. "He cut her off completely," Megan declared. "She's banned from the house, and he's frozen all her credit cards. Isn't that absolutely divine, Mom?" A flash of satisfaction crossed Joyce's face as she clinked her coffee cup against her daughter's. "To the downfall of Georgina Devin