His face was a mottled, apoplectic red.

The charming mask had burned completely away, leaving only the vicious, cornered predator underneath.

“You ungrateful, treasonous little liar!” he spat, spittle flying from his lips.

“Everything you have—the clothes on your back, the food you ate—came from my money! From my empire!”

I stepped away from the podium, moving to the very edge of the stage, and looked down at him.