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

Esther: "???"

Okay, that was dramatic.

But honestly? Esther decided to trust Fiona anyway, giving her a small smile. "Alright, I'll do what you say."

Once Esther left, Fiona glanced up, her sharp, bright eyes catching Tyler's. He looked like he was a million miles away.

"What's up? Something on your mind?"

Tyler shook his head, but then let out the thoughts he'd been holding in. "I just have a bad feeling about Esther."

"Go on," Fiona prompted.

"She was in such a rush to find us. That tells me Country M's probably decided to just let the whole chip- Esther situation play out. She came straight to us, told us everything. Honestly, from the very start, she's been the chip-Esther. But I don't think the real Esther is actually dead."

"And there's something else," Tyler added after thinking for a bit. "Back on the island, Jane said Esther was arrogant and impossible—totally not the weak, helpless person we met today. If this really is the chip-Esther, she'd never act like that. When she was competing on the island, it was obvious she had serious connections. If she got replaced, it was probably because of her own choices."

Fiona listened quietly, feeling a flicker of pride. Tyler was definitely getting more observant.

That was progress.

little notebook. "So, do you think this

"The chip-Esther's starting to

to the Stonnell estate, then. There are a few people there who need to be put in

didn't argue. They headed out

the road, while Fiona settled back and quickly drifted

team from Country M. Only then could she break free

solid excuse to pay a visit

her, but Fiona was out cold the moment she got in the

the Stonnell family's staff spotted their familiar car rolling up. The guards at the gate felt their

queen of trouble herself was

Now what?

inside to warn the others. Nobody in their right mind

stopped at the estate's front gates. Fiona slowly woke up, blinking herself back to life, looking like she'd just had the coziest

mumbled, her voice soft and a little raspy. She glanced down

it on," Tyler said. "No point in getting blood on your

the estate. Not a single person dared to block