s the brochure had promised: understated elegance, with soft
ector, a polished woman named Mrs. Evans. She projected an aura of European grace an
folded in their laps. They were the very picture of well-behaved, intelligent chil
s said, her smile genuine. "And your own background is fascinatin
s was standing up to give them a tour of
"Director Evans, darling, I just popped by to d
went rigid. Her breath
She would know it i
ically, she tu
utfit that screamed new money. Her perfectly styled blonde hair fram
d by a mask of pure, uncomprehending shock. Her expensive handbag
cheeks, leaving her ski
er voice a strangled gasp.
ent she had dreaded and prepared for was here. She smoothed a non-existent crease i
olite, slightly
as silk, with the faint, clipped accent she had p
ilah's bizarre outburst, cleared her throat. "This is M
uriosity. "Ms. Reed. Have we met? You seem quite distressed. And I must admit, I'm conf
a concerned, slightly offended bystander, c
eyes, but everything else was wrong. The accent, the expensive, so
professional demeanor strained. "
I'm sorry," she stammered, her eyes darting between Isabela and the
"Did you? How unfortunate for your acquaint
mark. A flush of angry r
r eyes, the stubborn set of their jaws. She saw Fremont Slater looking back
oice sharp with suspicion. "They
me of childish innocence. "Our father is a very famous artist.
erful father. It's so important for children to have a strong, present parent, don't you think?
ndbag and diamond earrings, but her expression w
ur accent is quite distinctive. It has a certain... Appalachian lilt. It's fascinating. I'm research
Southern belle from old money, felt her carefully constructed facade shatter into a million pieces. She ha
had just excavated it all
e went whit
, and turned back to the director. "Mrs. Evans, shall we continue our tour
cape the tense atmosphere. She ushered
old sweat breaking out on her skin
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