Vivienne blinked in confusion. "Mara? Who's that?"

As far as Vivienne was concerned, the name Mara had been flushed down the toilet long ago, just like yesterday's news.

The whole Boyd family had become invisible in Vivienne and Percival's world, let alone Mara.

Their association with the Boyds had been as necessary as a fish needs a bicycle-completely irrelevant!

Isolde nodded emphatically. "Yes, Mara. Mom's niece, the one you've met before."

Vivienne was still clueless, but Percival recalled and said, "The girl from the second branch of the Boyd family."

"Huh?" Vivienne blinked, not following.

Percival chuckled helplessly and flicked Vivienne's forehead. "The one you said had a nose like a button mushroom."

"Oh!" Vivienne's face lit up with realization. "Isn't she supposed to be abroad? Why is she back?"

What Vivienne did not voice was, "How could she have the gall to show her face here again?"

But with Isolde present, such language was inappropriate.

The trio walked into the living room where Cecilia sat, looking somewhat apologetic.

"Mom, what's she doing here? Is something wrong?" Percival inquired.

He knew his mother well enough to realize that although she could be scatterbrained at times, she had a strong moral compass.

Mara had even tried to break him

Ellington Mansion, something

would turn out this way; I thought we'd gone our separate ways for good.

embarrassed. She felt she had no right

was never a central figure in her

were

own decision; don't mind me," Vivienne said

lip, "Vivienne,

only family you have left. She's been close to you for many years, and whatever you decide, I won't object. Just follow your

"No thanks needed."

none of my business anyway." The last thought was Vivienne's silent addition, mindful

did say sternly, "She can stay but not in the house. And she better not show her face around Vivienne. It's bad karma." Helping Mara

Cecilia retorted, less patient with her son. She did not want to upset Vivienne, but what was it to him? Upstairs, Mara stood silently by the door,

it was clear Cecilia was the legitimate lady of the house. To the uninformed, it might seem like the Ellingtons were Vivienne's

expected that even her stay would be

gaze, her eyes briefly scanning the slightly

jumped, quickly slamming the door shut. Had she been imagining it, or did Vivienne

lips curled into a

Huxley Boyd's whereabouts? Mara mentioned they had a layover in M State. It'd be good to know if Huxley's still there; it's quite worrisome," Cecilia

also mean passing Mara off to him,

Cecilia found Mara a place to stay. With the Ellington family's large number of real estate, choosing a place

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

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