No wonder Holt had always been so vague about her position in the Tom family.

    Look at the tricks she used–cheap, low–ss theatrics.

    Ste let out a coldugh. “If that’s what she wants, then let her do it.”

    54%)

    Finished

    She’d barely even seen Mona a handful of times in her life. bShe /bowed the Tom family nothing. and there was no reason to bshow /bmercy now.

    The maid bowed and left.

    The butler turned to Ste. “Madam Tom likely isn’t just here about Kelly,”

    “I know. Gary–her son.

    If Mona had really cared about Kelly, she’d havee long ago.

    For her to show up now, it had to be more than that. Something had happened to the Tom family–something big enough to affect Gary.

    When the message reached Mona outside, she was so shocked she didn’t believe it.

    “She really said that?”

    Her voice turned sharp, eyes going cold.

    The maid nodded. “Exactly those words. So you’re wee to stay out here as long as you

    like.

    Mona was stunned.

    That little brat–who did she think she was?

    She was just a foster daughter in the Dawson family. So what if she was marrying Abraham? That didn’t give her the right to act so high and mighty.

    Her fists clenched as her thoughts turned to her daughter Kelly… and her son Gary,

    The Dawson family had crushed the Tom family without mercy.

    The maid watched her fume and spoke again. “Madam Mona, if you really go through with this, the entire city will beughing at you.”

    She wasn’t wrong.

    Mona froze

    12:45 Mon, 1 Sept

    Chapter 666 No Room for Pretenders

    ? 54%

    Finished

    Her breathing quickened. She turned a sharp re toward the maid–only to be interrupted.

    Evelyn’s car pulled up at just that moment. She frowned and tapped the driver’s shoulder. “Stop the car.”

    The vehicle rolled to a stop–right beside Mona.

    The window slid halfway down.

    Evelyn looked her way. “That look in your eye–who exactly were you nning to devour?”

    Mona’s face went stiff when she saw who it was.

    But she quickly forced her expression back into something pleasant. “Evelyn.”

    Why was this woman here now?

    She didn’t dare cross Madam Lorette. Everyone in Falvaria knew she ruled half the social

    scene.

    Evelyn didn’t look amused. “You still haven’t answered me. bThat /blook–who was it meant for?”

    This was her turf. That kind of look had no business showing up here.

    Her btone /bwas gentle, but Mona could feel the pressure rising.

    Mona faltered. “I… didn’t mean anything by it.”

    “Really? So I’m just blind then?”

    Every word was soft–but it made Mona’s skin crawl.

    She dropped her gaze, her face paling.

    Evelyn turned to the maid. “Who’s Madam Mona here to seeb?/b”

    “Miss Star.”

    That was all Evelyn needed to hear.

    Mona quickly added. “I’m here about Kelly.”

    Kelly.

    The one who used to hover around the Dawson family, always fawning over Evelyn

    Evelyn had never liked her. She thought Kelly and Mona were two of a bkind/b–sharine and fake.

    12:45 Mon, 1 Sept A

    Chapter 666 No Room for Pretenders

    And everyone knew the Tom family had always treated Kelly strangely.

    Evelyn smirked. “Kelly? You sure it’s not Gary?”

    Mona’s face turned green, then white.

    She’d been caught.

    b54/b%6

    Finished

    Mona was petty and narrow–minded–and she always favored her son. Kelly had only ever been a pawn in marriage deals.

    A tool.

    Evelyn went on. “Sounds like the Tom family’s been having a rough time. Derrick’seback must’ve shaken things up. Gary’s probably feeling it the most, right?”

    Mona didn’t reply.

    But her breath hitched.

    Rough time didn’t begin to cover it.

    “And now, Evelyn said smoothly, “you’re trying to sell your daughter out of prison? Must’ve been offered a decent deal. Who’s the generous soul willing to pay that much for a convict?”

    Mona’s face was already pale. Now it went gray.

    Madam Lorette wasn’t just powerful–she was perceptive. Nothing escaped her.

    Mona took a shaky breath. “Kelly is still my daughter, Evelyn. Was that really necessary?”

    “It was,” Evelyn said with a smirk. “Because that’s exactly what you are.”

    Mona’s face copsed into an ugly scowl.

    But Evelyn didn’t bother with her any longer. Her smile vanished.

    “My daughter–inw is pregnant and having a hard time. I suggest you leave her alone. If

    there’s ba /bnext time…

    She didn’t finish the sentence.

    She didn’t bhave /bto.

    [45 | MOI, | Sept

    The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In