"Why didn't you tell me that there were guests downstairs? What would your family think of me now?!"
Joanna buried her beet-red face in her hands, totally humiliated. She wished that she could find a hole in the ground and hide in there forever.
They must have found out that she had been sleeping in this late, and if she showed up looking unkempt and disheveled, she would forever be regarded as the shame of the Moran family and drown in their saliva from their disparaging opinions!
"What they think is their business," replied Ace. "All I want is for you to be comfortable."
Ace put his arms around Joanna's shoulders and calmly led her downstairs. Then, in a casual tone, he greeted everyone, "Good morning, uncles and aunts. Please forgive me and Joanna for getting up so late."