Chapter 84

For the sake of marrying her off, Richard really pulled out all the stops.

Isadora flexed her wrist, her expression unreadable.

"What if Magnus doesn't want to marry me?" she asked, her tone light but pointed.

Richard's brow furrowed. "Why wouldn't he want to marry you? Everything's going smoothly, isn't it? He even brought in LA Wedding to design your gown. For a man of Magnus's standing, that's a real gesture of intent. Isadora, don't play coy with me."

"He thinks I'm tainted."

Richard's face hardened. "Isadora, you're the daughter of the Vaughan family, my daughter. What reason do you have to feel unworthy?"

Isadora replied without missing a beat, "You have no idea, Dad. The Wainwrights look down on me because I wasn't raised in the Vaughan family. They think I lack the polish, the manners, the background-everything that comes from growing up with privilege. Pearl, on the other hand, was raised here from the start, so of course they think she's more suitable for Magnus."

Magnus had never actually said these words to her. But Faustina, his mother, brought it up often enough.

deliberately twisting the knife,

veins. Pearl, at the end of the day, is adopted. Don't let

let yourself get

not to care-but everything he

she could ignore

But not anymore.

just—since I'm apparently not good enough for the Wainwrights, why not have Pearl marry Magnus? After all, I'm not your

way of avoiding marriage!" Richard took a deep breath, reigning in his impatience. He knew he couldn't push too hard

twenty-fourth birthday. This year, we'll throw a party just for you. A real one. Let everyone see you're our beloved

radiant-like a peony in full bloom. Even the

birthday was the same day

for Pearl, sparing no expense. Pearl's eighteenth birthday alone had

was brought back into the family, Eleanor worried about hurting Pearl's feelings, and Richard didn't want to cause a scene. So

It was laughable, really.

parties. She decided to celebrate with Magnus instead-except every time, Elise would have one of her episodes.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255