Chapter 43 Xavier Thompson's Downfall

• The slap cracked through the air, sharp enough to make the entire room fall silent. Heads turned. Gasps broke out.
• Xavier’s glasses clattered to the floor, bouncing once before lying still.
• He froze, staring at them. He didn’t dare lift his head—not yet. His heart thudded in his ears, dread gnawing at his gut. Whoever had slapped him, he feared it might be the one man he didn’t want to face today.