yn

empty chair they had pointedly left for me at the far end of the arra

china cup, her face arranging itself

y. "We are all family here, and we only want what is best for you. But you really must learn to be more accommo

ase, Margaret," she chimed in, her voice soft and trembling slightly. "Karyn has been perfectly wonde

e, finding the entire spectacle utterly lau

bout this month's trust dividend. We are planning a proper, lavish welcom

curve of her lips. "Just play your part, dear

hing inside, I retrieved a handful of black credit cards, s

tter onto the glass coffee table. The cards scattered, knocking over Margaret'

the meaning of this?" she demanded, her mask o

you want to spend my money under these circumstances?" I asked, my

the tea-stained glass. "Karyn! You are playing with

ing. "Those cards are already deactivated," I state

de crumbling into sheer horror. This reality sharply contra

n airs with me?" she shrieked, her voice echoing off the high ceilings. "Stripped of my son's prestige, you are merely grease-sta

laugh, thoroughly amused b

ipping with quiet sarcasm. "I reserve my generosity, however, for people who des

turning a sickly pale at th

, my voice a cool, even murmur. "Let us see exactly

completely finished with t

nds grasping desperately at m

ngers with an expression of utter disgust. I smoothly pulled

, her hands grasping empty ai

, Judith," I advised. "My ch

, screaming about my impending ruin and how I would

over my shoulder. "I hope the judge at the bankr

e bright sunlight was a painful

n the passenger seat, and prepared to dri

rearview mirror, running out of the house, still c