Pearl was just basking in her own satisfaction when, out of nowhere, Isadora stepped forward.


    Without warning, Isadora yanked the diamond ne from around Pearl''s neck, snapping the chain so abruptly that Pearl barely registered what had happened. All she felt was a sharp, burning pain-as if her neck had been torn right along with the ne.


    A thin red scratch was already blooming across her skin, blood beginning to bead along the line.


    "Ah!" she cried, pain stinging her eyes with tears. Her whole neck felt like it was on fire.


    Themotion drew the attention of everyone in the ballroom. Heads turned as curious onlookers made their way over, eager for gossip.


    Eleanor rushed over, flustered and anxious. "What on earth is going on?"


    Sobbing, Pearl flung herself into Eleanor''s arms. "Mom, did you hear the way Isadora was speaking to you just now? I told her not to talk to you like that, and instead she just lost it—she ripped my ne right off! She nearly broke my neck."


    Eleanor''s eyes flickered to the angry, bleeding scratch on Pearl''s neck. She shot Isadora a furious re. "Isadora, what do you think you''re doing?!"


    Isadora met her mother''s gaze without flinching. Calmly, she held the diamond ne up for everyone to see. The gems sparkled coldly beneath the lights, the sharp-edged star pendant dazzling and dangerous.


    "I''m simply taking back the ne my grandmother left to me," Isadora said coolly. "Is that really worth all this drama?"


    Eleanor''s attention shifted guiltily to the ne in Isadora''s hand. She''d been so busy tonight that she hadn''t even noticed Pearl was wearing it. If she had, she never would have let her daughter put it on.


    That ne had been a point of contention ever since Eleanor''s mother-inw passed away. Back then, she''d tried to gently persuade Pearl to return it, promising her a piece of jewelry of equal value in exchange. But Pearl had burst into tears, asking if Eleanor didn''t love her anymore. Ever since Isadora hade back into the family, Pearl had grown painfully sensitive.


    Eleanor, torn by guilt for the daughter she''d raised and loved for twenty years, couldn''t bring herself to insist. She''d figured she''d just buy Isadora another diamonder-one for each daughter, to keep things fair.


    Now, pressing her lips together, Eleanor said stiffly, "That ne was given to Pearl on her eighteenth birthday. You weren''t even back with the Vaughan family then, Isadora. You can''t me anyone for that."


    Isadora let out a derisiveugh, the sound brittle and cold. "You really do dote on your fake daughter, don''t you, Mom? Aren''t you afraid Grandma wille back to haunt you for it?"


    A hush fell over the crowd; the word "fake daughter" echoed in the air, sparking a fresh wave of whispers. Pearl''s anger red, overshadowing the pain in her neck. She clenched her fists, barely restraining herself fromunching at Isadora.


    Eleanor''s face darkened. Embarrassed and furious, she snapped, "Isadora, that''s enough! If you hadn''te back to the Vaughan family, this ne would have belonged to Pearl-end of story!"


    Isadora gave a hollow, self-mocking smile that never reached her eyes. Of course. If she''d never returned, everything would have gone to Pearl. That''s what they''d always wanted, wasn''t it?


    Meanwhile, Richard was in the main hall entertaining the guests when he heard themotion growing louder in the east wing. Reluctantly, he made his way


    over.


    He arrived to find guests murmuring and casting sideways nces, the whole scene devolving into chaos. Richard felt his dignity slipping away by the second. His brow furrowed in displeasure.


    "That''s enough," he said curtly. "You''re making a spectacle of yourselves in front of our guests. We''ll discuss theer. Pearl, go see the family doctor about your neck—it''s bleeding."


    Pearl''s tears wouldn''t stop. Choking with emotion, she cried, "Dad, Isadora started all this and tore my ne off, and now even you''re taking her side?"