?Chapter 1554:


    Slipping into one of the designer gowns, Sandra turned toward the mirror.


    The reflection staring back at her was breathtaking.


    For the first time, she wondered if she might actually outshine Brenna.


    With Christmas nearing, a bitter chill gripped Shire. The temperature had plunged, and sleetshed the streets, infusing the air with a damp, bone-piercing cold.


    Keira huddled on her sofa, still bundled in her down jacket, her remaining hand gripping a hand warmer.


    Boredom weighed on her as she watched TV alone. A scene of card yers flickered across the screen, stirring memories of her old gambling circle.


    She had lost her left hand to gambling and had vowed never to touch a card again.


    So, even though she missed her old gambling buddies, she hadn’t gone looking for them these past few days.


    Just then, the doorbell chimed, pulling her from her thoughts. The maid emerged from the kitchen to answer it.


    A woman in her sixties stood at the door.


    Not spotting Keira, she asked, “This is Keira’s ce, isn’t it?”


    The maid smiled. “Yes, it is. I’m the maid here.”


    She didn’t let the woman in, not sure about her intentions. “Keira, you have a visitor.”


    Keira walked over and broke into a grin. “rice! Come in!”


    rice Lewis stepped inside, her eyes sweeping over Keira’s home. The furnishings were modest but spotless, the space meticulously kept. There was a maid here, too—Keira seemed to be doing well.


    “Keira, why haven’t you been at the card tables? We’ve missed you,” rice said.


    Keira guided her to a seat, signaling the maid to prepare coffee. She then extended her left arm, still swathed in bandages, and sighed. “I’m done with gambling.”


    rice’s eyes widened in shock. “Probably for the best. I’ve cut back myself. We were worried about you—no one knew where you lived. It took me ages to track you down. So, what’ve you been up to?”


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    Keira sighed. “Not much. Morning and evening walks, TV at home. Once my arm has healed, I’m thinking of joining amunity dance ss.”


    The maid set down coffee and a te of sliced fruit before retreating to the kitchen.


    rice leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I heard Corinna died in Lumoria. Horrible way to go—torn apart by a Tibetan Mastiff.”


    Keira froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Really? Who told you that?”


    rice’s expression grew uneasy. “I was out walking and saw a funeral. When I looked closer, it was Corinna’s son there. I asked around, and it’s true. She died gruesomely.”


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