The car rolled to a gentle stop at the entrance of McCarthy Mansion, and the driver stepped out to open the door.
Blanche climbed out, immediately spotting Wilhelmina waiting outside, along with a charming young woman she didn’t recognize.
“Wow! So you’re my sister–in–law!” Rebekah exclaimed, as if the world had suddenly shrunk. “I saw you at the vintage store this afternoon–you came out of the fitting room in that very dress!”
“You look gorgeous in it, by the way,” Rebekah added sweetly, her warmth unmistakable.
Blanche felt an unexpected sense of comfort and returned a soft “Thank you,” her gaze drifting to Wilhelmina, who was already sizing her up with a keen, approving look.
“Your brother, honestly…” Wilhelmina laughed, stepping forward to take Blanche’s hand, clearly delighted. “Quiet on the outside, but always gets things done.”
“Mom, everyone’s waiting inside to meet her!” Rebekah interrupted, rolling her eyes as her mother’s enthusiasm threatened to spill over.
“There are a lot of people?” Blanche hesitated, thinking she’d been invited to an intimate family dinner–just Wilhelmina, Mr. McCarthy, and Rebekah.
She glanced down at the three carefully prepared gifts she’d brought.
Wilhelmina noticed her uncertainty and smiled reassuringly. “Oh, it’s just neighbors and some of my husband’s old colleagues. They drop by all the time, nothing out of the ordinary.”
“No need to worry about gifts,” she continued, her voice gentle. “Tonight’s just a regular family dinner.”
Rebekah grinned. “You have no idea, all the neighbors‘ sons are still single. My brother’s the only one who’s managed to bring home a wife. Of course Mom’s going to show off a little.”
She barely finished before Wilhelmina flicked her on the forehead. “Stop talking nonsense!”
“As if I’d show off! They just heard my son’s fiancée was coming, so they wanted an excuse to swing by and raid our wine cellar.”
1/3
08:04
Listening to their playful banter, Blanche couldn’t help but think of her own mother Sheila. Her eyes grew misty, but she quickly blinked back the tears and followed the McCarthy women inside.
The moment Blanche stepped into the house, the crowd fell briefly silent–then admiration rippled through the room.
“What a beauty,” someone whispered.
“Mr. McCarthy, you’re a lucky man!”
“My own son? I might as well give up hope!”
As Wilhelmina led her around, introducing her to a whirlwind of relatives and family friends, Blanche felt her energy wane. Eventually, she slipped away to perch in a cozy corner of the sitting room.
Just then, Leda entered from the hallway. She approached slowly, her eyes lingering on Blanche with open curiosity.
She hadn’t expected Blanche to be so striking–or to carry herself with such quiet
grace.
Leda stopped beside her. “Hi, I’m Leda. I used to be Ablett’s fiancée.”
The name hit Blanche like a flash of déjà vu. Something about Leda felt oddly familiar, as if they’d crossed paths before.
Before Blanche could ask, Leda dropped her bombshell.
Judging by Blanche’s startled expression, it was clear Ablett had never mentioned
her.
“Ablett and I were in love ten years ago,” Leda continued, her voice carrying a faint edge. “We broke up over a misunderstanding, but once that’s cleared up, we’ll be back together.”
There was a challenge in her eyes.
Blanche had no idea how to respond. She had never heard a word about a previous
fiancée from Ablett.
She was momentarily at a loss, surprised to learn that the ever–composed Director–General had once been so passionately in love.
She remembered the way Ablett sometimes smiled at Mamie–perhaps he wasn’t as detached as he seemed.
08:04
Chapter 196
Leda took a seat beside her. “I’m from the Harvey family. Most of these people out there are from Capitol City’s old families. May I ask what your parents do, Miss Griffiths?”
Blanche recognized the jab–a not–so–subtle attempt to assert social dominance.
She kept her tone even. “Miss Harvey, whatever my parents do, it doesn’t change the fact that Ablett and I are already engaged.”
“We’re just waiting for the wedding.”
In truth, their marriage certificate was already signed.
Blanche wasn’t interested in arguing. She only hoped Leda would see reason and
move on.
Leda seemed like a lovely girl–she deserved better than to pine after a man who clearly didn’t care for her anymore.
If Ablett and Leda’s breakup had been nothing more than a simple
misunderstanding, then once that was cleared up, he could’ve married her instead. There would have been no need for him to marry Blanche at all.
08:04
