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Excitement flickered in Loretta’s eyes as she read the message. This was perfect–whatever the truth, she was now the only daughter the Rayburns had left.

A knock at the door startled her.

“Who is it?” she called.

“Miss, there’s someone to see you downstairs. She says she’s Miss Howard.”

Miss Howard?

Loretta’s eyes darted slyly. Smiling, she opened the door. “Tell her to wait a moment. I’ll be right down.”

Only after carefully fixing her hair and jewelry did Loretta make her way downstairs, taking her time.

Genevieve had already been waiting in the living room for quite a while and was beginning to lose patience. The Rayburn heiress sure liked to keep people waiting, but for the sake of the family alliance, she had no choice but to put up with it.

She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and nearly spat it out when Loretta finally appeared–draped in enough glittering jewelry to blind someone, looking as gaudy as a peacock.

This was the Rayburn heiress?

A white dress with blue stockings was questionable enough, but paired with emerald earrings, a/pearl ne, and a jade bracelet–she looked like a walking fashion disaster.

Genevieve couldn’t help her disbelief. “You’re the daughter the Rayburns just found after all these years?”

Loretta gave her sweetest, most innocent smile. “That’s right.”

Genevieve sized her up, her hopes rapidly deting.

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Chapter

She wasn’t as pretty as Charlotte–that was one thing–but dressing like that? How could someone like her be her sister–inw?

“Did you need something, Miss Howard?” Loretta forced a smile, ufortable under Genevieve’s scrutiny.

“I heard the Rayburns just weed their long–lost daughter home, so I came by to pay my respects.” Genevieve stood, smoothing down her skirt. “Who knows, maybe we’ll be family someday.”

She was talking about herself and Wesley.

But Loretta misunderstood, thinking she meant Evander instead. With a shy look, she said, “Oh, who knows what the future holds. Besides, Mr. Howard isn’t even divorced yet. If you talk like that, people might get the wrong idea about me.”

Genevieve’s expression twitched. “I meant myself and Mr. Rayburn…”

“Oh? Oh my, I misunderstood! So you and my brother are that close?” Loretta looped her arm through Genevieve’s, beaming. “Then I should start calling you ‘sister‘ from now on!”

Genevieve, despite Loretta’s enthusiastic eptance, couldn’t muster any joy.

This Rayburn heiress was truly something else…

She pulled her arm free. “Miss Rayburn, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Nothing is settled between me and Mr. Rayburn yet.”

“And Mr. Howard? Isn’t he…ing to see me?” Loretta asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Genevieve blinked. “Why would hee see you?”

“Well, I did save his life all those years ago. The least he could do is pay me a visit, right?” Loretta pouted slightly, already daydreaming about her future: the ident was now behind her, and once that woman was out of the picture, she’d have every right to marry him.

Lost in her happy thoughts, she didn’t notice theplicated look on

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Genevieve’s face.

Hospital.

Evander’s eyes fluttered open. Jacques, who’d been sitting at his bedside, immediately leaned forward. “You’re awake?”

Evander pressed the nurse call button.

“Dad… Where’s Charlotte? Is she alright?” Evander tried to sit up, but Jacques gently held him down. “She’s fine.”

Just then, Miranda swept into the room. “You’re worried about her? You

almost died!”

Jacques frowned. “There’s no need to talk like that in front of our son.”

“Talk like what?” Mirandaughed bitterly. “He’s my son! He risked his life for her, and she didn’t even get a scratch! Did shee see him? No! All she cares about is divorcing him!”

Jacques pinched the bridge of his nose. “After everything you said to her yesterday, would she even daree?”

Evander looked stunned. “Mother, what did you say?”

“I told the truth! Yes, she saved your life once, and we repaid our debt–her family agreed to the marriage, and she willingly became your wife. We never forced her, did we? So why does she me you for everything?”

“Mother!” Evander’s tone sharpened. “I remember now. I really do owe

her.”

Jacques eyed him carefully. “What do you remember?b” /b

“The kidnapping, years ago. It’s alle back to me.” Evander’s eyes turned red, his post–surgery body trembling as if it might shatter. “I told Charlotte to find me when she grew up, but I forgot about her. I even said those cruel things to her. She has every right to hate me.”