immediately protested, indignation coloring her voi

's piercing glare, causing her to retreat

m Elora. "Demi, Cary i

have more than one grandson. If he insists on chasi

his blindness, she'd undoubtedly vanish once he was penniless. Esme was trouble

ple pulsing with barely contained anger. Directing his

upport, she remained composed, gently supporting t

issues, a weak heart, and aching j

relatives might push Demi toward a heart

am-M

ied into the room, gasping for bre

uickly, regaining her composure to

umbling over herself. "Mom! Am I perf

u're stunning, sweetheart. Absolutely flawless-" Her thoughts

We're expecting an important guest. Shouldn't

or reminding me. Actually, Cary and I haven't officially divorced yet.

rying into Cary's chest. "But Miss Barton here... she's merely the m

ed, tears streaming theat

ind your tongue, Evelina! Mr. Russell came specifically for Esme. She's

y, she turned back, astonishment evident

"Renowned as the Sight Weaver herself. She was personally

got it-why Evelina had decide

wouldn't blame

i's tone sharpened danger

iercing gaze, Esme rema

d talents, with Elora and Margot eagerly chimi

rupted their exaggerated praise. "Seem

s a tall man, his broad shoulders and authoritati

pation. "Mr. Russell, you're final

gle glance at his immaculate attire, particularly the s

a practically dragged Margot alon

nd visibly nervous, nearly

right past her without acknowledgment, stopping purposef

pulse quicke

f deceiving someone of Jasper Russell's cal

ily, desperation evident. "My dress got

nd, eyeing the neares

rton, surely you're not running away already? Could it be be

n sliced through the ten

cheating jerk like Cary, she could

r's reputation to climb the social la

retorted furiously, glar

ately. "I studied under Professor Mitchell in graduate school

e. "If that's true, then surely you know how man

urgeries, alongside one subtle corrective

nfidently replied, "Three, obvi

ice sliced sharply throug

correcting herself, saying, "R-r

e surgeries or four?" Demi asked col