Victoria mostly just chatted with her, and every time she tried to invite Victoria to McNeil''s estate, Victoria would find an excuse to hang up.


    After a while, for the sake of the game, Gwh didn''t even dare mention her mothering home.


    In truth, Gwh spent most of her time at Winding Peak Lane. She''d put on a pitiful face in front of Victoria, but the moment Victoria left, she would cozy up to Violet,ughing and carrying on as if she didn''t have a care in the world.


    McNeil was with them every day. As for Victoria-he hardly thought of her anymore.


    Before long, it was time for Janice''s birthday. Early that morning, Simms called Victoria, urging her toe by early, and sent her the address.


    Victoria was certain Simms would bring Yulia along. What she couldn''t figure out was why she had to attend Janice''s birthday at all-after all, in over twenty years, she''d seen the old woman less than three times.


    "Ms. Turner, would you like me to go with you?" Yasmine offered.


    "You can wait for me in the car," Victoria replied.


    If anything felt off, she could just leave—no big deal.


    She brought along a jade ring she''d bought at auction for a small fortune. Yasmine had dug up a little box from who-knows-where, something that looked like it hade from a dor store, the kind you get three for ten bucks.


    A nearly priceless piece of jewelry, relegated to such a humble box-well, it was unlikely the olddy would even notice.


    Victoria slipped the ring into her pocket without a word, as if it were nothing.


    She followed the address Simms gave her and soon arrived at an imposing three- story mansion,plete with fountains, rock gardens, and lush greenery everywhere.


    Victoria couldn''t help a small, wry smile. She still remembered the first time she''d met Janice—it had been in a cramped, government-subsidized apartment.


    Back in her youth, Janice had been a teacher-highly educated, they said, and even more proud. Though her family was poor, she always wore a look of disdain, as if everyone around her was beneath her-even Edith, the pampered heiress, didn''t escape her scorn.


    At first, Edith had tried to show Janice respect. She''d found her a better ce to live, made sure she was well cared for. But Janice had never hesitated to ept Edith''s expensive gifts, only to turn around and make biting remarks about them. She''d say the Turner family only had a bit of money, and it was a waste to spend it on frivolous things like jewelry. And she never missed a chance to belittle Edith, who''d studied abroad, spoke fournguages, and excelled at everything from music to art. ording to Janice, all of it was useless-Edith was an empty- headed show-off, a rich girl with no real substance.


    Edith had confided all these frustrations to Haley, which was why Haley especially resented the Simms family.


    When Victoria was older, Haley told her about what her mother had endured because of Janice.


    Standing outside the mansion now, Victoria took in the stately fa?ade. Inside, there were maids and a butler bustling about it was as grand as any old-money estate from a bygone era.


    The parking area out front was crammed with luxury cars, all here for Simms.


    A chill crept into Victoria''s heart. All these years, Simms had been pouring Turner family money into the Miller family.


    "Hello, could you please sign your name here? It''s for our records-Mrs. Miller likes to keep track," a servant asked, mistaking Victoria for just another guest.


    "I''m Simms'' daughter," Victoria said quietly.


    The servant froze, but Victoria had already stepped into the entrance hall.


    The ce was packed with guests. Janice sat in the center, dressed in an ornate brocade jacket, cheeks flushed, looking every bit the matriarch-no one would guess she was over eighty.


    "Are you Victoria?" someone called.


    Victoria was ncing around, hoping to slip into an inconspicuous seat, when a well-dressed woman with features strikingly simr to Simms approached her, smiling warmly.


    Victoria racked her brain, trying to ce her, but before she could say anything, the woman had taken her hand affectionately.


    "I''m your aunt! Your father told me you wereing, and asked me to look after you. I used to hold you when you were little-don''t you remember?"