Say What?

Scratching her nape, she extended her calloused hands. "Don't call me that or any honorary title. I allow you to call me Samantha as long as you tell me your name."

Biting back the urge to smile, Diana shyly took Samantha's hand for a handshake. "Diana. Diana Ritchell."

Diana slowly raised her eyes, meeting Samantha's shell-shocked gaze. Samantha took Diana's hand when the latter was about to withdraw her hand. "Y-You're… Y-You're…What happened with your hands?"

Samantha, who was tongue-tied a few seconds ago, frowned upon seeing the flinch on Diana's face as soon as she tightened her grasp on her hands. Scanning the latter's hands, her frown deepened upon seeing how swollen Diana's hand was!

"Was it them?"

"H-Huh?"

"Was it the fucking three ugly ducklings who did this to you?"