ting mealtime etiquette was akin to walking on eggshells. As din

e stood out am

glances were alread

tears welling up in her eyes as she nod

nausea, an overwhelming u

e rose from her seat and da

g her dry heaving in its wake. Her throat const

creaked open as so

heart racing as she turned to see Gabriel

a word, another wave

on the faucet, stealing a glance at Gabriella'

eing someon

ike they were buzzing in

her gaze piercing, like she

arched her eyebrows. "What

een them, seizing Chelsey's arm an

abriella's skeptical gaze, her ey

expecting?" Ga

Chelsey's irritation flared, h

yed her sus

ey softened her tone. "I'm not involved

e had no idea wh

o tolerate the slight salmon aroma. Gabriella's question

nagging thought of her

really be

pected call about having to leave for an official trip. She c

er's internal turmoil, seemed re

ng married and had been in a relationship without te

r that such was

her words laden with meaning. "Remember, you're my anchor, Chelsey.

, but they've provided for us." Chels

rris family. But Cary had asked Kaden t

to his word, ensuring Gabriella received

family for generations, yet Gabr

, stashing the surplus for contingencies. With a sprawling fa

s, bags, beauty treatments, and those obligatory social shindigs with the elite. Mone

ags as it is. And do you need to hobnob with those judgmenta

you'll realize that maintaining status is crucial. It's all about connections in those circles.

cut her off. "I'm swamped with w

ht not wield Morris-level power, but they're reputable i

d, exasperated. "I'm not

If you marry into a respectable family, I can hold my head high among the Mo

two years after graduation. There's ample room for advanc

a decent handbag. How will you support us? It barely covers your own nee

m for dissent, dragging Ch

ayed cycle, Chelsey failed to

with age, went for some air,

Chelsey?"

pped, meeti

ing figure in his red garb, exud

rranged, hinted at the handsome y

especially Trevor. He and Ismael Powell were the town's mo

t none could evade the grasp of

up, she inevitably c

gaze chilly and aloof, a hi

lltale sign o

heart skip

harbored a fear of him. Despite his affection for his grandch

t genuine; rather, it stemmed from h

ch ache earlier today. Didn't mean

. "If you weren't feeling well, why keep mum? Y

smissal of her status wi

gritted her teeth. Such a comment left her fe

ront of him was

but Gabriella, looking uneasy, tugged

do you waste time on this unimportant person? C

wallowed his annoy

when Trevor brushed his sleeves across