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.

had even tried to break him and

now settling in at the Ellington Mansion, something

turn out this way; I thought we'd gone

embarrassed. She

a central figure in

aunt-niece dynamics were

Vivienne said with a smile,

her lip, "Vivienne,

your niece, after all, and probably the 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 heart." Cecilia's eyes welled up at Vivienne's words. "Vivienne, you can be sure I won't let Mara

"No thanks needed."

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

can stay but not in the house. And she better not show her face around Vivienne. It's bad karma." Helping Mara was already a

did not want to upset Vivienne, but what was it to him?

know, it was clear Cecilia was the legitimate lady of the house. To

not expected that even her stay

her eyes briefly scanning the

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

lips curled into a mocking

whereabouts? Mara mentioned they had a layover in M State. It'd be good to know if Huxley's still there;

Locating Huxley would also mean passing Mara

With the Ellington family's large number of real estate, choosing

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