*Beth’s POV*

My father was escorted off the stage after his speech by two bodyguards, and he was gone in a second as if he had never been there at all.

“Can we please give a huge round of applause to Beth Russell?!” Owen said into the microphone.

The crowd applauded and shouted for me. The hot spotlight was shining on me, and I took my opportunity to stomp on the soldier's foot. I made sure to dig the point of my heel in. ...