Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Bentley wiped his forehead, trying to play it cool, but the awkwardness was all over his face.

"Ms. Fiona, we knew about the situation, but as for working with Country M? The Gregory family would never do something like that!"

"That's right, Ms. Fiona," Amy's mother jumped in, her voice tight with worry. "Our family has a good reputation here in the States—we'd never get mixed up in anything shady like that."

Both parents rushed to explain, desperate to clear things up before Fiona got the wrong idea.

But Fiona didn't need to prove anything to them anymore. She'd already tracked down the real Amy, something her parents could never have done, even if they tried. Fiona had gotten this far without needing the Stonnell family's help. Compared to her, these old folks were out of their league.

And Fiona's coolness under pressure was almost legendary. Most people would've lost it under the kind of stress she'd faced—cursing, snapping, breaking down. But not Fiona. She handled it all like it was nothing.

"Ms. Fiona, it's all thanks to you that our daughter's home. Please, let me toast you," Bentley said, picking up his glass and leaning forward in a respectful salute before knocking back his drink.

hesitate. She didn't do hard liquor, but Lucy poured her a glass of champagne and she finished it in one smooth gulp. The taste was a

casually grabbing a handful of

wait long. Amy's

her parents paraded her around like their personal trophy-showing her off at every event, making sure everyone saw her face, inviting her to

let her suffer again. After all these years, we still don't know how

kind of moment that could make anyone emotional-anyone except Fiona. She just sat

grew tense and

getting off topic," Bentley said quickly, noticing her bored expression. "While you were competing, we were already bringing Amy out in public, and we issued a statement too. As for the

as well. Their academics are top-notch, and we want Amy to get the best education. She's our only

way they played off each other, you'd think they'd