The sight stung Brendan in the eyes like thorns. Murderous air began to pool around him like the onset of a nuclear explosion. He slammed his hand against the bars, thundering, “What the h*ll am I seeing!?”

The warden’s face turned as white as a sheet. He knew all too well what this was—bullying between inmates. What he did not expect was Brendan catching it right when it happened.

His hoarse commotion woke the inmates. When they saw who it was, their minds turned blank. They had no idea that a man whose very status would equate him to a modern-day prince would deign himself to visit a dirty cell in a detainment facility!

“M-Mr. Brighthall! W-Why are you here? N-No, this is a misunderstanding! It’s all Miss McKinnon’s idea! She found us filthy and decided to sleep in her own clean little corner instead of huddling with our grime. She said it herself! The corner’s clean, she said!”

“Exactly! She’s the one w-who’s ostracizing us! Thus, we chose not to force her against her wish!”