“Wiona, come inside. I’ll get you some hot water.”
Wiona held Madison back, remembering why she came. “Wait, not yet. Madison, I’m actually here because of my mother-in-law. She’s at the Simpson estate tonight. Did you know?”
She quickly explained the situation, and Madison frowned. “That’s odd. Tonight’s party is for the alternative medicine crowd. Except for a few families who’ve moved into business, everyone else is a big name in the field. Your mother-in-law shouldn’t have been invited.”
“What if Giana invited her?” Wiona guessed. “Last time, I saw Giana asking my mom for a favor. Maybe it’s related?”
Madison shook her head. “I really don’t know. But let’s go look for her just in case.”
Madison eyed Wiona’s outfit, then whisked her inside to change into a winter coat. She wrapped a fluffy rabbit fur scarf around Wiona’s neck, making sure she was warm. Madison smiled, satisfied. “Good thing this coat is roomy. Now, you’ll blend right in at the party.”
Before they left, Madison knocked on the east wing’s door and called out, “I’m heading to the front courtyard.”
After a half-minute, a muffled reply came from inside. “Mm.”
Madison finally relaxed and led Wiona out of the Red Maple Court.
The banquet was set up in the front courtyard. Wiona slipped in without drawing any attention, but Annette was nowhere to be found among the guests. Wiona kept calling her, but the line was always busy. Her worry only grew.
Nikolai and Drake made their way through the crowd back to her. Nikolai leaned in and spoke quietly, “Ma’am, we haven’t found Mrs. Sullivan anywhere. We should let Mr. Sullivan know.”
Wiona was anxious, not wanting things to get out of hand. She nodded. “Nikolai, text him.”
Just as she said it, someone called her name. “What are you doing here?” The voice sounded familiar.
Wiona glanced up. “Sophie?”
Madison pulled Wiona behind her, tense. “Why are you still here? Go look for her!”
Giana watched the two of them stick up for each other and let out a dry chuckle. Her eyes lingered on Wiona. It was her again. Madison had even slapped a fellow apprentice for her once. Giana had let it go back then because of Conrad. Now, here she was again. Giana heard she’s the fake Morgan heiress.
Giana knew all about Madison, so she immediately figured out their connection. It was strange, seeing a real and fake heiress so close. Was it all an act, or were they actually friends?
And Wiona had just called Annette her mother-in-law? As if Conrad Sullivan would ever marry someone like her. Wasn’t she supposed to be Mrs. Salisbury? Her scandal had been all over the news a few months ago. How did she suddenly become Mrs. Sullivan? What a liar!
Good thing Sophie had given Giana a heads-up. Apparently, the Sullivan family was in chaos these days, all because Conrad was supposedly under the spell of a dangerous woman. There had even been a death.
Even though Sophie was young, Giana respected her. She was sharp, tough, and had already made a name for herself as a top lawyer. The Simpson family’s legal matters were all in her hands now. Giana only trusted her.

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