Chapter 532
Amanda patted Ann’s hand, giving her a playful scold. “Ann, you’re wonderful in every way, except for that passive nature of yours! If only you’d spoken up sooner about knowing Miss Palmer, things wouldn’t have gotten so out of hand p>
Thanks to the debacle with the impersonated savior and the Somerset family, Ann’s reputation in the Capital had taken a nosedive.
In fact, the gossip about her was downright vicious.
To make matters worse, she was now limping, had been thrown out of Gonzales Manor, and most of her old friends had quietly drifted away.
Amanda sighed at the thought, then continued, “If you’d just told the truth earlier, maybe your friends wouldn’t have p>
Ann let out a derisive snort. “Just wait. It won’t be long before they all come begging me for an invitation p>
Amanda narrowed her eyes. “You’d better not hand those invitations out so easily when the time comes p>
“Of course not p>
A gleam of cold determination flickered in Ann’s eyes. “Mom, I’ve got other things
to take care of these next few days. Please handle the garden party arrangements for me p>
The venue had to be decorated in advance, and the private chef booked ahead of time.
Amanda smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Ann. I’ll make sure everything is absolutely perfect p>
She’d originally tried to talk her daughter out of hosting the party.
But now?
Now Amanda just wanted the day to arrive as soon as possible.
After all, she’d been dying to meet Celia!
“Thanks, Mom.” Ann turned to her, then added, “Oh, and I’m planning to invite Caitlin as well p>
Amanda’s eyes narrowed. “Why invite that little troublemaker? She’s always sucking up to people. What if she uses the chance to stir up trouble with Miss Palmer and ruin things between you two p>
Amanda had underestimated Caitlin from the start.
She’d always thought a country bumpkin like her niece could never pose a threat to her darling daughter’s place in society, so she’d never bothered to take her seriously.
But now, after less than a year back in the Capital, Caitlin had completely changed the social landscape-Ann’s standing had never been so precarious, and Amanda couldn’t help but be wary.
Miss Palmer was Ann’s closest friend and greatest support. What if Caitlin managed to come between them?
As a mother, Amanda would never let that happen.
Ann’s eyes took on a mocking glint. “You think Caitlin could actually turn Miss Palmer against me? Mom, you’re giving her too much credit p>
“Still, we can’t be too careful.” Amanda’s gaze was sharp. “I heard the Palmer family has some ties to the Richards family, and Caitlin is their granddaughter p>
Ann just laughed, brushing off the concern. “Mom, you don’t know the half of it. Miss Palmer can’t stand Caitlin. Inviting her to the party will just make her look foolish p>
Since Caitlin’s return to the Capital, she’d managed to steal the spotlight at every event. But Ann was convinced her own time to shine had finally come.
This time, she’d use Caitlin as a stepping stone.
Amanda finally relaxed at that. “So you’re saying Caitlin already burned her bridges with Miss Palmer?” She tossed around “that little
troublemaker so much she seemed to forget Caitlin was her own nieces
“That’s right.” Ann nodded. “Mom, this time, Caitlin’s finished p>
“Woof! Woof! Woof p>
Suddenly, a massive dog burst out from the flower beds, barking ferociously at Ann, its bared teeth inches from her leg. If she hadn’t leapt back in time, she would have been bitten.
Ann’s face went pale as she stumbled backward.
Amanda immediately stepped in front of her daughter. Though she was trembling inside, she stood firm. “Where did this stray come from? Get out! Go on p>
The dog was huge, well-fed, and easily half as tall as a person. Its snarling face was terrifying-more frightening than any guard dog and it was growling tow in its throat as stalked closer to Ann, as if it might attack at any second.
it
Ann’s knees went weak.
Where on earth did this maniac come from p>
Just then, a young girl came running over and grabbed the dog’s collar. “Monday! No biting p>
That’s right.
The dog barking at Ann was none other than Monday.
With hearing far sharper than a human’s, Monday had picked up on someone bad-mouthing his mom from a distance and charged over at once.
Unfortunately, before he could teach the “bad guys” a lesson, Lenora managed to get him under control.
It was funny, really-when Caitlin had first found Monday, he’d been just a stubby- legged little thing. She’d thought he’d stay small, maybe even had some corgi in
him.
But as he grew, those little legs turned long and lean.
He might’ve gotten taller, but his signature underbite never went away.
Amanda glared furiously, her voice shaking with anger. “Lenora! Get this beast out
of here—put it down, do you hear me p>
She’d nearly had a heart attack.
Just a split second more, and that brute would have bitten her daughter.
Amanda’s heart was still pounding, her face ashen, palms slick with sweat.
Lenora hurriedly replied, “Miss
Caitlin. Mrs. Richards specifically
Amanda, Monday belongs to Miss
asked me to take care of him white
she’s away-if anything happens to him, I’m finished! Please accept my
apologies, both for myself and w
Monday. He didn’t mean to scare you p>