as everyone stared at the v

when Isadora turned toward the large, ornate bra

her slender wrist, Isadora t

an

metal and stone rang throug

lief. Macy's victorious smile

a, have you completely lost your mind?! That was your sister's most treasured gift, offered

hem, her gaze cool, aloof, and

aid languidly. "If it's mine, I have ev

and cheap brass prongs-I'm genuinely curious what third-rate back-alley workshop was hired to p

posedly "exclusive designer" piece had been dissec

ngle item you people ever bought for me remains upstairs in that bedroom untouched.

r to curry favor with Brenda: "Your own money? Miss Isadora, eve

f ice, pinning the woman to the wall with a

rmured, her voice smooth yet razor-sharp. "You are paid to clea

color as she clamped her li

's en

gh as if playing the martyr. Straightening his suit, he put on a practiced show of patriarchal magna

her voice flat and formal. "Mr. S

Sh

ith sudden embarrassment before the watching servants. The eighteen-year familial bond had

ded maid whispered vindictively to Warren, u

truments, their brushed edges worn smooth from years of relentless use. Tucked alongside it was a folded slip of parchment bearin

, the last thing he wanted was the indignity of having hi

y double doors and stepped out into the crisp evening

te driveway. At the wrought-iron front ga

as crumpled, one side bore severe scrapes and dents, and th

er's side. His glasses were crooked and a smudge of oil stained his lapel

less, breathtaking elegance. Her features bore an uncanny resemblance to his Madam in her younger years-yet t

r bowed deeply, his voice full of g

ay and we clipped a guardrail. I was so afraid of delaying your precious time that I didn't return home to swap ve

rved into a faint

g Miss?" sh

others above you!" the driver added hurriedly. "Forgive my lack of ma

thers? A dedic

beneath the battered paint, she recognized the hand-finished curves of a bespoke custom Rol

eren't quite the destitute paupers

asked, looking at her lone backpack with concern.

wn is right here," Isado

a moment. I must bring the greeting gifts prepared by the Master and Madam inside to

pulled the handle to open th

an

oor hinges snapped loose, and the enti

in horror, his fac

e Shaw villa swung wide as Warren, Brenda, and Macy strutte