The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 201

Suzie had noticed the moment she walked in. Ruby Sterling was dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a cropped tank top, her pale, slender waist on full display—a beacon of youth and provocation.

Seeing Suzie and Jamie enter, Ruby rushed over, her voice syrupy sweet as she addressed Jamie. "Hello! You're even more handsome and charismatic in person than you are on the news."

Jamie’s gaze barely flickered over Ruby before settling firmly on Suzie. "Go sit on the sofa. The dessert will be ready shortly."

Suzie’s brow twitched. How could this entire family have gained entry to the Baylor Manor without Jamie's permission? She still couldn't figure out his angle, so she decided to watch and wait.

She shot Ruby a quick glance before following Jamie to the sofa. Once they were a comfortable distance away, her eyes drifted back to the younger girl, only to find Ruby's gaze fixed intently on Jamie.

Suzie felt a strange sense that this girl was different from the one she remembered. Perhaps she had simply grown up, or maybe her time abroad had changed her. The once simple, unassuming girl now exuded an air that was hard to define. And no matter where her eyes roamed, they always found their way back to Jamie.

As Suzie was lost in thought, Jamie’s voice came in a low whisper by her ear. "You can have a family reunion. I need to take care of some work in my study."

She ignored him, her mind racing, trying to figure out if she could use these 'vampiric' family members to her advantage and find a way to escape.

No sooner had Jamie headed upstairs than Margaret scurried over to Suzie's side. "Suzie, dear, I told you your husband was just having a little spat with you. See? He brought you right back home, didn't he?"

Suzie gave her a cool, sweeping glance. "How did you get here?"

"Oh, your wonderful husband sent a car for us, of course!" Margaret replied, her eyes greedily scanning the lavish decor. "He said you were back and wanted us all to have a family dinner. Honestly, you should stop with your little tantrums. Look at this place! You wouldn't have to worry about a thing for the rest of your life. How many women get to live like this? If only our Ruby could be so lucky as to save a nobleman and then... oh, that would be wonderful..."

Stroking a stray hair from Ruby’s face, Margaret said lovingly, "Your sister was just saying that when you move back, she'll find you a good husband."

Ruby, however, didn't look pleased. She pouted, "But I want to find someone just like Jamie."

"Yes, yes, of course," Margaret soothed. "With your sister's status now, she certainly won't find you anyone subpar."

Suzie watched Ruby closely. The girl's eyes kept darting towards the second floor, specifically to the spot where Jamie had disappeared.

A barely perceptible smile played on Suzie's lips before she quickly concealed it.