Chapter 11
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a stunning woman step through the doors, wrating an emerald green vintage dress with her hair elegantly pinned up. In one hand, she carried a polished walnut wood bere of pastiles
While Nydia looked me the top in her glitteringensemble, Grace exuded quier elegance–graceful, refined, yet undeniably captivating
It was rare to find someone who could blend innocence and seduction soflawlessly
Camelia was suddenly reminded of a phase she had come across line–soft but seductive. That de
She had the kind of classic beauty that stood out not just for its features but for the aura behind it So many women tiled to sculpt perfection onto their faces, but it only led to aesthetic
Tople always said true beauty came from within, not just the surface.
She was that rare kind of wean–stunning on the crataide and even more compelling underneath
A woman like her, with both beauty and intelligence, was a pile. She could sadly captivate any man while folely becoming a natural rivalo other women
That was the feeling Grace gave Camelia.
Under the admiring gazes of the piests, she walked in with measured steps and a poised smile. She spoke gently, as if the whole room belonged to her. “I apologize for arriving late. I made some pastries at home for our first meeting hope the delay didn’t cause any inconvenience…
Nyda fined, “Pastries? You clearh
Kain quickly ingred Nydia’s hand under the table and stood up with a gracious smik. “No matter. You’re here now. Come, meet the fenten.”
The reached for Grace’s hand with performative affection. To the outside world, it painted the perfect picture of a caring stepmother and a well–bonded family.
Tveryone knew the muth–f their relationship had really be so close, Grace wouldn’t have been shipped overseas less than a year after her mother’s death
The wealthy families were never short on secrets, and everyone at that table had seen their fair share.
Grace set the walnut wood box down and greeted the Jensen family with quiet grace, respectful yet composed
When she reached Camelia, the woman smiled warmly and said, “Thoard you’ve been thing abroad for years. I didn’t expect you to be into baking.”
Munan ked baking. 1 ndio help her in the kitchen when I was little,” Grace said with a soft smi, upening the box. These are just simple pastries. Not a professional pastry
cher’s, but i wanted to being a imali token ”
Camelia’s eye lit up.
“Are these pecan tea cooldes?” “
Grace had done her homework Camelia had grown up in Westvale, and this was a nostalgic treat from her hometown
“Yes, made with hand–picked pecans from Crystal Hay and a hint of citrus best,” Crace said as she placed the cooldes onto line coramic plates.
The even used a desse kite to neatly quarter each one, malang them easier to sample.
Please try them Mrs Jensen. Thope they suit your taste.”
The fact that Grace had not only made pecan cookies, has chosen pecans grown in Camelia’s hometown–it struck just the right chord
Even someone as hard to please as Camelia couldn’t help but praise the llavor and pesture. She pamed Grace’s hand and motioned for her to sit right beside her.
“You’re quite young, but your skills rival those of a professional pastry chef.”
Of course, they were delicious–Grace had hired the best pastry chef in the city
Stan Goolt bent seat beside Camelia and the two began chatting caually.
The toote they talked, the more impressed Camella became. “You play the banjo?”
These days, most young people were drawn to the popular Solmere instruments, but the Jemen tamilly was different. They were an old lineage–an aristocratic house that had stood tall Though generations of change, deeply rooted in tradition, no matter hour modern the world became
Grace nodded. “My grandmother was talented in classical instruments 1 picked it up from her when 1 ważQule.”
Seeing Grace and Camelia deep in comentation, Nydia grew increasingly an sous.
or she turned seven, she had lived in the shadows, nothing more than an illegitimate daughter, forced to watch Grace shine from afar.
Alter weeen, her luck flipped–she became the Harper family’s precious daughter and looked down on Grace, who looked like a pathetic girl, with satisfaction
But at Grace married into the Jensen, family, Nydia konw she would never find a more prestigious match. She would be stuck beneath Grace for the rest of hes life, Trying to redan the attention, Nydia quickly asked, “Mas Jensen, where is Mi Zane? Isn’t he coming?
Camellia tripanded warmly, le child be unn his way Noneed to worry, Ms. Harper.”
Kate rigordat Nydia’s sleeve under the table. Nydia’s impatience was evident, a clear sign of her inability to hade her nerves.
A young woman shouldn’t be interrogating people about a man like that
thinking bedland those smiles.
Injoying her talk with Grace, Ca
“Trijoy İna tao,” she und, trying to wonderi
“Oh! What kindel tea do youi maiali
he desperate. The jensens might be too polite to show it, but no one knew what they were truly
trady wandered from classical music to tra Houatter the top, Grace responded with poise and ease. It only made Nydia mace flustered
Tina tagad prach iced tea and lemonade jord tra
Camelia blinked, unsure how to respond. The old radot lavas saddeuse the attrahy dink ouder than aj
spatient and lacking in tact, expecially in front of elders. The way she spoke it was as if she actually thought it made lart novin charming,
When Camelia didn’t juck up on line comment, the comentations lill an awkward pause almost instantly.
Of course, Grace knew exactly what Camella was doing A man like hen, seasoned in the ways of wealthy families, would never casually single out one gel for curisation at an
This was a test – me jo barve her and Hyde’s dynamic, to see who kept the composite And just like that, Nyda had jumped up, interrupting with a half–baked joke that barely landed.
The difference between them was crystal clean. Dise was sexandling, the other aheady playing the kang gana
wasn’t post playing nie with Camelia. She was performing, every word and smile part of a plan.
she had already scoped out the room the moment she walked in. None of the men present matched the description of Cole
That made her uneasy, but not enough to lose her cool.
Unlike Nydia, Grace was calm, collected, and calculating. Her mind raced as she considered who this elusive man might be.
Gace pulled her thoughts back in and smoothed over the awkward pause with a calm, effortless smile. “Well, people my age like things a little trendier–west tea blends with fruit Infusion. You still get the full lave of the tea but with the refreshing sweetness of the fruit it’s a delightful combination.”
sance both of you are so knowledgeable about tea, I opened a tea lounge no long ago for fun. How about coming over one day in sample some teas?”
“I’m always free,” Nydia jumped in immediately.
Camelia tumeda Grace. “And you, Gra?”
Camelia teferred to Nydia as Ms. Harper“, while deace had already become “Grace“. The address shift said it all–Grace had won this round
Her lips led slightly, her tone gentle and refined. “Talveta”
Just then, Cole stepped into the private room and caught the tail end of her reply
I was just like that night, has eyes filled with tenderness, her eyelids slightly glistening with moisture, her vibrant red lips calling out to him. Her valor, soft and teasing like a cat’s, stirred a longing him.
Camelia immediately spotted him. There you are, Colle. Where’s Zane? Wasn’t he with you?”
The name “Cale” caught Grace all paard
He target had finally arrived. She slowly turned, making sure to leave a good impression.
Every detail, from her posture to her smile, was carefully crafted she law exactly how to smile to look her most beautiful.
Her smile was incede yet still exuded softness, and few men could resist it. As she flashed a perfect set of white teeth, her eyes s
hus plans didn’t always goas expected–her se had froren at the corners of her lips.
She was shocked to realize that Cole, Zane’s uncle, was the same man she had slept with that night
sparkled with warmth as she gazed at the man entering
