The phone rang, and Mandy''s voice came through almost immediately.


    "Mom, why did you let that girle back to our house? Do you have any idea how much the Gilbert family has suffered because of the Davis family?"


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly as she listened. How did Mandy know she was back? She was sure Catherine wouldn''t have mentioned it to Mandy.


    On the other end, Mandy massaged her temples, not even waiting for "Catherine" to speak before continuing, "Since you let Mirabee back, why did you turn Summer away? After all, Summer is your biological granddaughter!"


    Turning, Mandy nced at her daughter who had just returned, noticing the injuries on her hands and the dirt on her coat, clearly having been through a rough time.


    Taking a deep breath, she added, "Summer came back especially to see you today, and you treat her like this... Well, never mind, saying too much will only upset you..."


    While Mandy kept talking, Mirabe wasn''t paying much attention, focusing instead on the message that Summer had been here today.


    Recalling the earlier conversation at home about Summer, and Nick''s odd behavior today, she pieced together that Nick must have bumped into Summer while out fetching the parcel and soy sauce.


    Mirabe fiddled with her phone, waiting for Mandy to finish her ramblings before heading to the kitchen.


    Catherine was brewing a gingerbreadtte when Mirabe approached with the phone. "Who''s on the line?" she asked.


    Mirabe didn''t reply, simply cing the phone next to Catherine''s ear.


    Hearing her daughter''s voice, Catherine gave Mirabe a look before responding in a muted tone, "Mandy, what is it?"


    Mandy, realizing Catherine had just asked ''Who''s on the line?'', felt a mix of annoyance and frustration, realizing her words hadn''t been heard by Catherine after all.


    Trying to calm herself down, Mandy didn''t repeat what she''d already said, instead asking, "Mom, you''re not on speaker, are you?"


    Though the phone wasn''t on speaker, the volume was high enough to be heard clearly in the quiet night.


    Mirabe handed the phone to Catherine and left the room.


    Catherine watched her leave before responding, "No, go ahead. What''s on your mind?"


    "You made sure she isn''t listening, right?" Mandy asked, just to be sure.


    Catherine frowned slightly, "She''s gone to bed."


    Relieved, Mandy cleared her throat and said, "Mom, do you still have Dad''s jade piece? The one he left for Summer?"


    "What jade?" Catherine momentarily didn''t catch on.


    "The family heirloom jade, Mom. When Dad passed, didn''t he say it was for..."


    Before Mandy could finish, Catherine snapped back into focus, her tone turning stern, "That was meant for Mira."


    Mandy''s face darkened instantly, "Mom, get this straight. That''s a Gilbert heirloom. Mirabe is an outsider. It should be passed down to your direct granddaughter!"


    Catherine pursed her lips, "So, you''re calling just for the jade?"


    "Yes." Mandy didn''t beat around the bush, "The Gilbert family is facing a crisis. I need that jade."