Northwood City.
Inside the sprawling master suite of Silverstream Villa, Seraphina stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, her phone pressed to her ear.
On the other end of the line was Bianca, the talent manager for the agency representing the 'Thrice' brand.
“Didn't I tell you to watch your mouth during the stream? What the hell were you thinking?”
Seraphina stared blankly at the manicured gardens outside, a cold, calculating gleam in her eyes. But when she spoke, her voice trembled with perfectly feigned innocence. “I’m so sorry, Bianca. I was just so nervous. I didn’t realize my words would get twisted by the chat...”
Bianca groaned in frustration. “The entire internet is currently tearing Hester Carrington apart! You two are sisters-in-law, for God's sake! What you did looks like a calculated, public hit job against her!”
“That wasn't my intention at all! I’ll speak to Hester personally and smooth things over.”
“Listen to me,” Bianca snapped. “I ran a background check on Hester Carrington. She isn’t some nobody. She’s from the Carrington family, she’s the founder of YAH Jewelry, and she is married to Julian Weston! With a pedigree like that, you should be doing everything in your power to kiss her ass, not throwing her to the wolves! I swear, I don't know what to do with you!”
Seraphina kept her tone desperate and pleading. “Bianca, I promise I will fix this. I won’t let it blow back on the agency.”
“Just handle it. Issue a formal apology or statement immediately and call off your rabid fanbase! You kept insisting you didn't want to show your face online, and I never understood why. Now? I get it. You are a PR nightmare waiting to happen.”
A flash of pure contempt crossed Seraphina’s features, though she maintained her meek persona. “I’m sorry. I’ll make it right.”
“Get it handled before the brand shoot next week,” Bianca ordered coldly before hanging up.
...
Seraphina lowered the phone, instantly dropping the pathetic act.
She casually wiped away a tear that didn't exist.
Opening her contacts, she dialed Julian's number.
He didn't answer.
Undeterred, she called again. And again.
On the third attempt, he finally picked up.
“Seraphina?”
“Julian, I am so, so sorry. I didn't mean to bother you while you're busy, but I think I’ve made a terrible mistake...”
...
Coralton City.
Hester treated Gigi to lunch at a highly-rated private kitchen.
Afterward, the little girl started yawning, rubbing her tired eyes. Feeling a bit lethargic herself, Hester decided they should take the sightseeing tram back to the inn.
Jasper hadn't returned yet, so Hester took Gigi up to her room, and the two of them curled up for a nap.
When Hester woke up, it was already 3:30 PM.

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