Xenia was no match for them alone, and the other household staff didn''t have the courage to intervene.


    Back when Mrs. Marchand was in charge, that woman wouldn''t have dared be so brazen. But now, with thedy of the house gone and Miss Gwhpletely taken in by her sweet talk, none of the servants'' words would reach her ears.


    Seizing a moment when Violet wasn''t watching, Xenia tried to call McNeil, but the line rang and rang-no one picked up.


    "Ms. Marchand, we found a wedding dress in the storage room. Is this the one you asked for?"


    A bodyguard came to report, and Violet hurried after him. The dress was draped in shimmering crystals, spread across the fabric like starlight.


    A clear garment bag protected it, but it couldn''t hide the dress''s dazzling beauty.


    Victoria had poured her heart and soul into designing it, dreaming of the day she''d wear it for McNeil. But after the dress was discovered in Violet''s quarters, Victoria had sealed it away in storage, never once returning to look at it.


    Violet, however, could never let it go. To her, it was the most beautiful wedding gown she''d ever seen.


    And because it was Victoria''s most cherished treasure, Violet was determined to make it her own.


    When Violet ordered her bodyguards to bring the dress out from storage, Xenia was stunned.


    She rushed forward, desperately trying to block them.


    "This belongs to Mrs. Marchand you can''t just take it."


    Xenia had watched Victoria sew that dress by hand, remembered the look of pure devotion on her face. All the staff had been moved, thinking how lucky Mr. Marchand was to have found such a wife.


    When the finished gown was delivered, though, Victoria suddenly ordered it put away, to gather dust in the storeroom, never to be seen again.


    Even the staff sensed how much it meant to her.


    And now this woman wanted to steal it-Xenia couldn''t bear it.


    "Xenia, I know you''re loyal to Mr. Marchand. And I know you were devoted to your mistress too. You''re a good worker. I n to keep you on. But you need to remember, there''s a new boss in this house.


    Dogs obey their masters. I''m sure you understand what I mean."


    She looked at her bodyguards.


    "Take the gown. Be careful-not a scratch. I want to walk down the aisle in it, with everyone watching. I want Victoria to see it-see how much better it looks on me."


    There were only a few days left. The gown had to be altered to fit her, and there was no time to waste.


    Xenia could do nothing but watch as Victoria''s wedding dress was taken away. She tried to call her mistress, but the call wouldn''t go through.


    Was Victoria really done with Mr. Marchand for good? Was she nevering back? Poor Miss Gwh-left without a mother.


    Xenia had thought Miss Gwh liked Violet, but when she learned her parents were truly divorced, the girl had cried her heart out.


    Did she even understand what it meant, to love someone else and abandon her own mother?


    Xenia wiped tears from her eyes. Just like that, a happy family had been torn apart.


    At the office, someone brought Gwh to see McNeil.


    Seeing the anxious bodyguard at the door, McNeil asked quietly, "What''s going on?"


    But before the man could answer, Gwh rushed up to her father.


    "Daddy, is it true? Did you really get divorced from Mommy? When did it happen? Why didn''t you tell me? Why are you getting divorced?"


    Her questions came in a flood, catching McNeil off guard. He''d assumed Gwh already knew about the divorce he never expected her to react this way.


    "Your mom and I decided together," he tried to exin. "From now on, you''ll live with me, and Mommy will visit sometimes. Things won''t really change."


    But Gwh pointed usingly at him.


    "You''re lying. Grown-ups always lie to kids. Mommy hasn''t been home in ages. She''s noting back. You got divorced, so now Mommy doesn''t want me anymore."


    McNeil frowned. "Who told you that? Mommy would never abandon you. And I never will, either."


    Gwh ignored him, ring fiercely.


    "But if you marry Violet, Mommy will nevere back, right?"


    McNeil sighed. "Didn''t you used to say you wanted Violet to be your mom? Why not now?"


    Gwh shook her head, stubborn tears spilling down her cheeks. "Max says nobody can rece my mom. I don''t want Violet. I just want my own mommy."


    She cried for a long time. Helpless, McNeil finally called Victoria in far-off Evermore City.


    He didn''t really expect her to answer, but to his surprise, she picked up. For the sake of their daughter, Victoria hadn''t blocked him.


    "Gwh knows about the divorce," he said. "She''s here, crying her eyes out. I can''t get through to her. Will you talk to her?"