Two days later.
Frederick and Miranda brought Chloe Hawthorne right up to the gates of the Blackwood Manor.
The three of them were completely barred from entering.
The summer heat was brutal. Chloe, completely unable to handle the sweltering sun, snapped impatiently, "You lousy guard, we already told you we're Stella's family! If you don't let us in right now, you can kiss your job goodbye."
The security guard stared at her, thoroughly unimpressed. "Whether I keep my job or not is none of your business. I've already made it crystal clear.
The Boss gave strict orders: no one from the Hawthorne family is allowed inside. Do yourselves a favor and leave. Don't make this ugly, or we won't be so polite."
"You..."
Chloe shook Miranda's arm whining, "Mom, they won't let us in. What do we do?"
Miranda hadn't expected the Blackwood family to completely stonewall them. For a moment, she was at a total loss.
After thinking it over, she said, "Frederick, call Stella. Tell her to come out and get us. If she refuses, we'll blast her all over the internet.
We'll tell everyone that she married into money and immediately turned her back on her own family, to the point of leaving us roasting outside the gates. She wouldn't dare risk that kind of humiliation for the Blackwoods."
Chloe loved the idea. "Dad, hurry up and call her! We'll be inside in no time."
Just standing outside the gates, it was obvious the Blackwood Manor was easily five times the size of their own estate. She was practically vibrating with excitement to see the luxury inside.
Frederick frowned. "I don't have Stella's number. Which one of you has it? Send it to me."
Miranda blinked. "I don't have it."

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