he froze, stopped in his track

closer discreetly. "Sir... I be

's b

nce is gravely ill. Word is she'

ched the man's lips. He studied the boy

ssly, then flinched unde

ne spotted a fa

nic

n around, her face breaking

as starting to think you'd decide

adn't changed a bit. A small smile touched Jeanne's

ooking for

Swan. He just ca

him," Jeanne r

You used to follow him arou

t was just a silly high s

to land him, maybe your father wouldn't ha

nged the subject. "

sly. Le

ggage, she stopped short, he

n? He's

George," Jeanne an

I'm Peppa Pig. Oink, oink..." Mo

then slowly took off his glasses. His eyelas

denly feeling tha

ce, George replied,

, completely delighted. "

at his mother

moth

ve like a prince! You'll have good food, a beau

k George's hand, leaving Jean

look, his brows furrowed, as if to

e sig

onsidered anyone of average

nica drove, Jeanne sat in the passenger

d the city cent

ther who called you

wants to see us bef

fer, is running the house now. Y

ly, a cold light e

onth. They're hoping the wedding

d about

"Do you... do you st

be dr

ve! If that viper Jasmine hadn't gotten he

bond was that easy to break,

"What about G

question. "He wa

ase tell me he

was. That's why I

ismay from the backseat. M

the entire for

nce estate, the car slowed to

o go in with you?

had left in humiliation; sh

e plaque on the

etched into

enge. A hundred, even

George'

t's

te estates in South Hampton City. Located in the heart

shed without a trace. Draped in forgotten history, the estate had witnessed generations of Lawrenc

sly kept tropical garden-a surreal oasis against the urban chill of South Hampton. The architecture, a bold

hrough the silence. Before them, the mansion loomed

fixed and icy. George, her young son, followed in her shadow. Their footstep

adies were exchanging idle chatter. At the

s back! If it isn't our dear heirness

eirn

g a word. She looked at them the way one mig

come back with a boy and no wedding ring. What a disgrac

gure rose to her feet. A woman of noble bearing, dressed in a form

n waiting for you," she said, her voice dri

ly by seducing Alexandre Lawrence. She played the part of a compassionate matria

can drop the act, Jennifer. You were one o

d for a moment,

Jeanne subdued, even broken. But the fire in Jeanne

answered, her voice strained with force

nne replied, her ton

a maid, "Maria, take her luggage upstairs. H