Chapter 57: Social Climber

Edrick Throughout the gala, I tried not to look too long at the way Moana’s body looked in her dress — but there was also something else that caught my eye and held my attention, even while I was busy schmoozing with other wealthy socialites to get donations for the foundation.

Her belly, which was always slim with nice curves at the waist, was a little bit rounder.

I quickly looked away as her eyes met mine, chalking it up in my head to the simple monthly fluctuations in a woman’s body; besides, if she gained a little weight, maybe it was good for her. As far as I was aware, she had next to no money before she began working for me, so maybe she didn’t get enough to eat and now her body was settling into a healthier weight.

Soon, however, I had to push aside these thoughts as it was time to give my speech. Kelly, who made a generously large donation prior to the gala, made a speech as well, followed by Sophia, who said a few words of gratitude. When the speeches were finished, there was a champagne toast followed by a dance portion of the event.

I stood off to the side, watching as the couples that had come together — many of them married — headed toward the dance floor. I wasn’t planning on dancing, but when Kelly scurried up to me with a particular look on her pointed face, I knew what was coming.

“I think you owe me a dance after what happened at that family banquet,” she said, shooting me a sultry look as she sauntered up to me. “What do you say?”

no,” I said, shaking my

type to obsess over fashion, but as we grew up together, it

for her to take. Kelly grinned as we made our way to the dance floor, then pressed her body uncomfortably close to mine when we began

over her shoulder, “you didn’t tell me that this orphanage was the same one that your nanny grew

shrugged. “Is there a problem with

scoffed. “No, not at all,” she said, her voice sounding overtly melancholy.

knows the director of the orphanage,” I

a glass of water in her hand, rather than champagne, which I found a bit odd, and

Holding her stomach.

noticing this, looked at me with a sly smirk. “She’s gained a little weight,

sudden bouts of nausea lately, made me wonder already. Meanwhile, Kelly’s comment only added

be mine. I was always careful, and we had had

own brother. They had been running around together at the night of the

carouse with one of her friends, but I stood there for several moments, still as a

from the orphanage, was looking for you.” I glanced over the crowd, breaking my gaze from Moana temporarily, to see Sophia lock eyes with me and wave for me to come

tie again to go and talk to her. My investigation of Moana’s strange behavior would have to be put on hold. I made my way over to Sophia,

children are so excited,

a small, handmade card. It was only a single piece of paper folded over with crayon stick figures drawn on it, and on the outside, it read “Thank You, Mr. Morgan!” while inside was a series of children’s names, all also written in crayon — some of the letters were backwards, and the warm thank-yous were often

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