Ethan Ashford rolled away. The c

's called out

ed. They knelt and cleaned up the shattered vase. When they were

matically, and soon the crowd moved, pretending nothing ha

he moved, Anna- the same girl who had sho

y's fiancé saved your ass. Otherwi

ked away, leaving M

's fi

all man in the wheelchair, now dee

en humiliated, insulted, and nearly accused of a crime.

ouldn't have

suddenly she was expected to belong here? To this house filled with

hall. She spotted her father surrounded by a few executives

e called

at the sound of her voice. His expression softened. "Nelly," he smiled

id, pulling back

g man in the sleek black wheelchair approaching. "Mr. As

ng." Ethan replied smoothly

nk y

to her father. "Dad, did you hear what happened? That

d. "Nelly," he said sharply.

t D

handled it," he said, turning his gaze briefly toward Mr. Sterling. "You

urse. Thank you, Mr. Ashford." He turned to Nelly, patting her shoulder.

a smile that didn't reach

he once bustling hall now fell a bit quiet. May

center of the room, where servants were now arran

. The Sterling family clearl

legs. Mr. Sterling soon joined her, followed by Mrs. Sterling

ue to leave. She began to take a slow

bowing slightly. "Mr. Sterling h

inked.

have dinner. He said I shoul

hink I should,

a polite smile

the table, she could feel every pair of eyes following her. When she

her. "Why the he

n't think she's eaten since she got

hy are you being so nice to her? I g

. "Don't overthink it. We're j

I've been through quite a lot because of this girl. It's not like she's part o

table as she lowered her

e. "This shouldn't be about who's legitimate or

e rep

egan serving

she was supposed to eat or simply admire the arrangemen

was beef wellington, bowls of truffled mashed potatoes, lobster tails resting on fi

which looked the same to her. On her right, three knives of varying shapes and sizes. Napkins folded

mother moved effortlessly, picking up the utensils. Eve

hard. Her hea

picked up one of the forks. Maybe this one was right. But

dessert fo

mother. Maya froze, her face heating in embarrassmen

ying her best to kee

the napkin on your lap,

folded beside her plate. She sighed softly, picked i

how's the countryside?" She probably spent her time climbing tre

kled softly behind

ed for his glass, and turned his attention

smiling politely, "how'

oughout the entire dinner, li

well," he

was

rely spoke, yet somehow hi

ngly. "Oh, that's really go

replied, taking a s

other and whispered something. Mrs. Sterlin

know what I'm about to say is a bit abr

wn gently. His hazel e

t is

ly. Her gaze moved toward

al agreement was that y

act. He simply

"there has been a change." She looked at Maya. "We