Belle’s anger boiled over when faced with Richie’s offensive remarks. To her, an eleven-year-old boy who could hurl such insults was simply a reflection of poor upbringing and a lack of respect for women.

Her face hardened with icy resolve as she grabbed Richie by the ear, “Apologize to me. Twice.”

Richie yelped in pain, his mouth spewing insults, “You old witch, let me go! I’ll have my uncle sell you to some place horrible and let you be done in. It ...