Faux Vows, True Desires

The person who rolled up on an electric tricycle was none other than Edith.

Edith pulled up right in front of Madeleine and parked her quirky ride.

She didn't bother to dismount, but instead called out to the security guard from her seat, "Is this Ms. Porter?"

The guard nodded affirmatively and gestured for Madeleine to approach.

"Do you always pick up your VIPs in these contraptions?" Madeleine asked, her voice laced with disdain.

She truly loathed the idea of riding in an electric tricycle. It was completely foreign to her; in all her years, she had never set foot in such a vehicle.

The staff of the Porter family, from which she hailed, wouldn't be caught dead on a three-wheeler-they all drove cars, proper four-wheeled ones at that.

How could she, the distinguished daughter of the Porter family, possibly be seen in an electric tricycle?

Edith chuckled, "Oh no, this is just something I bought for convenience. The estate is massive, and having an electric vehicle makes getting around much easier, plus it can carry a couple of extra people. Ms. Porter, rest assured, when we host esteemed guests, we usually roll out the red carpet and send Nelson to escort them in a luxury car."

Madeleine's face fell. "Are you trying to humiliate me?"

Not only was she being made to enter through a side door, but there was also no luxury car to receive her.

"What is your role here?"

"I'm the estate's gardener," Edith replied, still smiling as if she had no clue her actions were inappropriate in the slightest. "Nelson saw me on his way out and just tasked me with fetching Ms. Porter. I didn't feel like walking all the way to the parking lot to get a car, so I rode this electric trike over. Does it bother you?"

Madeleine was fuming on the inside.

She hadn't even met Lucinda yet, and already she was being treated with such contempt. When Lucinda returned to the Blue family, this woman was undoubtedly going to side with her own mother against Madeleine.

For a split second, Madeleine felt a murderous rage.

Thankfully, she had the sense to remember she was at Pinehurst, on the sprawling grounds of the Anderson family—the unrivaled titans of the area. Should she cause a scene here, she'd gain nothing. Hadn't she seen how even a glimpse of Lucinda was denied to her?

would strut in and out of places like

boundaries of

didn't treat her like a VIP at all,

her. Does she really expect me to welcome her with open gates? Dream on!" "Ms. Porter, get on the trike. I'll take you to see our lady of the house. If we're late, she might be having breakfast, and you'll have to wait. You won't see her until she's finished," Edith pressed. Madeleine replied icily, "Tell Lucinda to come

being Lucinda's stepmother since she wasn't married

of who you are," Edith said. "She mentioned that if Ms. Porter is willing to ride my trike, then ride; if not, the gate is right there for you to

darkened, "So you're telling me Lucinda knows you came to pick me up on

me out, so of

utterly

on, or not? If you're not interested, I'll be on my way. I've got

Madeleine clenched her teeth.

someone who dealt with dirt and plants all day, dared

anyone dared call her, Madeleine, arrogant again, she'd send them to the Ascend Estate to see what

a huff, but remembering her purpose for coming, she swallowed her pride, huffed

Just wait!

Skywatch, revenge would

to see Janice, and

tricycle, Madeleine was in no mood to admire the scenery. All she could feel was the blazing sun

hot, and although it was just the beginning of fall, the early sun was already sending waves of

blankets at night

longer until we arrive?" Madeleine inquired, feeling

been on the tricycle for an eternity and they

take ten minutes, but I

Madeleine groaned inwardly.

it up? I'm roasting

is the morning sun, Ms. Porter, it won't kill you.

her patience wearing

took a full twenty minutes to reach the main

arrived at the main entrance, Lucinda and her family had

off and went about her business, leaving her with a casual, "Ms. Porter, hang tight. Someone will notify the household of your arrival. Once they give the