Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 8-1

Audrey’s stomach churned at Danielle’s cold response, taking it as pure arrogance. She couldn’t help but study her rival’s face-Danielle was stunning, no doubt about it.

But those distant eyes were like ice, almost unnervingly clear, like nothing in this world could ever faze her.

This is that backwater girl?’ she wondered, recalling the lack of useful information in Danielle’s background check.

"Audrey, Danielle just needs time to warm up. You’ll be close soon enough," Vivian soothed.

Audrey’s face softened into a practiced look of pure, lovely, and pitiful innocence. "Of course," she replied obediently, "I’ll be a perfect sister."

"Enough talk-you must be hungry, let’s eat!" Vivian guided Danielle to the table laden with both their girls’ favorites.

arrival sparked surprise. As CEO of the Darling Group, he rarely had

you home for

replied simply, his gaze warming as it

into her palms, but her smile never wavered. "How wonderful

and rage. With their parents and Joseph present, she could only maintain

choice morsels. Each gesture twisted deeper into Audrey’s

You’re too thin." Vivian fussed

overflowing plate, Danielle murmured, "Don’t

daughter, expertly distributing everyone’s

familiarity with the family-a calculated

watched her performance with

Danielle. "If Audrey’s presence bothers you,