Nancy Helwart let out a derisive snort, the sound dripping with contempt. "Of course, I am acting in my son's best interests! What benefit has marrying your daughter brought him? Nothing but a cascade of troubles he has to clean up! What has your family ever contributed but to be a millstone around his neck?"

She took a step closer, her eyes raking over them with undisguised scorn. "And why this performance of familial devotion now? Weren't you all too happy to sell your daughter to the ...