Chapter 18

This sort of thing was hardly a big deal in Richard's eyes.

Just a petty spat between his two daughters-nothing more than a flash of

jealousy.

But he couldn't have this kind of childish spectacle turning into a laughingstock at the Vaughan family's 30th anniversary gala.

It would be a stain on the family's reputation and dignity.

Richard just wanted the matter settled quickly. Glancing at Pearl's tear-stained face, he turned to Isadora and said, "Isadora, hand the necklace back to Pearl for now. We'll discuss this after the party."

As soon as the words were out, the guests turned their eyes on Isadora, and she felt the weight of their sympathy, pity, and thinly veiled amusement.

She watched Eleanor comforting Pearl, Richard shielding Pearl-together, they looked every bit the picture of a loving, united family.

And she? She felt like the unwelcome outsider, the villain ruining their peace.

herself to swallow the lump in her throat,

Suddenly-

through the hall—measured, but with a sharp edge of anger. "If this diamond necklace is meant as

through the hum of conversation. The next moment, Isadora

looked up and saw

and she immediately pulled away

Magnus wore a cool-toned gray suit, his tie perfectly straight, adding to

crowd, gaze remote and expression cold, a presence so imposing that the entire room seemed to shrink around

stunned by

noticed when Magnus

that of the Vaughans-and to

went to Pearl or Isadora didn't matter to

Magnus stepping forward to defend Isadora, the balance had clearly shifted in her

you've walked in on a bit of family squabble. Just a harmless misunderstanding between my daughters. The diamond necklace was always meant as a wedding gift from the Vaughan

face fell as she heard the sudden change in

her lip, eyes shining with tears, she gazed at Eleanor, silently pleading for her mother to stand up for

Eleanor understood immediately.

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