Rose took the slap without dodging. A bright red weal sprang up on her fair cheek.
A woman happened to come to the restroom and saw Tiana slapped Rose. Rose was the daughter of the Secretary and Austin's girlfriend. Tiana was just a nobody.
How dare she slap the Secretary's daughter? The woman shouted out immediately. Rose began to cover her face and cry when she saw the audience.
Someone spread the news to the party right away. Austin heard the commotion. He put out the cigarette and came back from the garden. A group of people were gathering in the hallway. He immediately saw Tiana surrounded in the middle.
He strove over, his heart tightened. Rose threw herself into Austin's arms as if he was her savior. She cried even more pitifully.
Austin helped her stand straight and asked, "What happened?"