99.1%


    At ckwood Estate,


    Lady ckwood sat on the sofa in the living room, leafing through a stack of photographs while mumbling to herself: “The Montgomery girl has such elegant poise, and the younger Window daughter looks quite charming, And there’s Ravena Harrington who justpleted her Master’s at Cambridge–has such a schrly air about her. <i>I </i>rather like her <b>as </b>well.”


    The elderlydy looked up at Asher with a smile. “Asher, dear, do have a look at these photographs. See if any of them catch your eye,”


    Asher’s eyes were distant, his thoughts elsewhere.


    He had just briefly caught Thalia’s gaze in the garden. Herplexion had looked terribly poor, her lipspletely drained of colour. Was she ill?


    “Asher,” Lady ckwood raised her voice, the smile fading from her face. “Your grandmother is speaking to you What on earth are you daydreaming about?”


    Asher pulled himself back to the present and looked up. “I beg your pardon?”


    Lady ckwood set down the photographs, clearly displeased. She adjusted her silk shawl and spoke deliberately. “Ravena Harrington justpleted her Master’s. I met the girl a few days ago–she’s gentle–natured and quite pretty. The day after tomorrow, you and your mother should pay a visit to the Harringtons. You ought to spend some time getting to know Ravena.”


    Asher sat on the sofa, his eyes darkening. “I’m afraid I’m otherwise engaged.”


    Lady ckwood frowned, giving him a stern look. “Too busy even during the holiday?”


    “You’ve worked all year. Take a few days off for yourself during the holiday, and do as you’re told. Go with your mother to see the Harringtons.”


    Grace, hearing this talk of matchmaking, felt distinctly ufortable.


    They had barely broken off the engagement with Thalia Winters, and already Grandmother was arranging introductions?


    How long had it been since they’d severed ties with the Winters family?


    Grace affectionately linked arms with the elderlydy, softening her voice. “Grandmother, Asher’s engagement with Thalia has only just ended, and you’re already arranging for him to meet Ravena Harrington? People will talk.”


    Laurina chimed in from the side: “That’s right, Lady ckwood<i>. </i>It’s not as if Asher is short of prospects. Every eligible young woman in London would jump at the chance to marry him. There’s really no need to fuss.”


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    99.2%


    Lady ckwood cast a displeased nce at Asher. “I’m not concerned about him finding someone. I’m worried he’s still thinking about someone he shouldn’t be.”


    Laurina pursed her lips, ncing between Lady ckwood and Asher.


    Blimey, so Lady ckwood didn’t approve of Asher being with Thalia? That was surprising–Thalia came from an excellent family, was beautiful, and had an impable character. What could the elderlydy possibly find objectionable?


    Asher’s lips were set in a tight line. “Grandmother, I’m going to the study to see Grandfather.”


    With that, Asher stood.


    “Wait just a moment. Do take what I’ve said <i>to </i>heart, instead of always trying to avoid the issue. You’ve broken your engagement with the Winters girl. Stop thinking about her. How are the Harrington or Montgomery girls any less


    suitable?”


    Asher paused and turned back, his eyes dark. His lips curled into a sardonic smile. “If you’re so fond of them, why not marry them all into the family<i>? </i>I don’t want any of them.”


    Laurina secretly gave him a thumbs–up, her eyes full of approval.


    That’s my cousin<b>, </b>she thought. What a backbone!


    Lady ckwood was furious, her expression rigid. “Listen to yourself! You never used to speak to your elders this way. How have you be so rebellious?”


    Asher’s tone was deliberately casual, almost designed to irritate. “Grandmother, I suggest you worry less about my affairs. With your heart condition, you really ought to be more concerned about yourself.”


    Lady ckwood’s chest heaved with anger, her breathing bing uneven.


    “Asher, you never used to speak to your grandmother this way. Has that Winters girl been poisoning your mind against us? I’ve noticed that whenever Thalia Winters is involved, you seem to be apletely different person.”


    Asher gave a scornfulugh, a fleeting destion passing through his eyes. “Poisoning my mind? You’re overthinking it. We haven’t spoken in quite some time.”


    Lady ckwood’s tone brooked no argument. “Then you will go to meet Ravena as arranged.”


    Asher turned and began walking upstairs,zily dropping two words: “I won’t.”


    “You’re bing increasingly insolent!” Lady ckwood shouted at his retreating figure.


    Grace gently patted the elderlydy’s back, trying to calm her. “Grandmother, please don’t upset yourself.”


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    99.4%


    The elderlydy took a deep breath, replying irritably: “Grace, just look at your brother now, Speaking to me with such disrespect. He was never like this before.”


    Grace answered with feigned concern: “It’s true. Ever since he became involved with Thalia Winters, he’s been like a different person. He never would have spoken to you this way before. It must be Thalia’s influence.”


    Lady ckwood asked, “You think it’s because of Thalia Winters too?”


    “Yes, Grandmother. Every time Thalia is mentioned, Asher’s characterpletely changes. I can’t think of any other exnation except that she’s been turning him against you.”


    “That’s not quite fair, Grace,” Laurina interjected, casually eating nuts from a bowl. “Were you hiding under their bed to hear Thalia poisoning Asher’s mind?”


    Grace turned to Laurina, her expression darkening. “Well, no, but-”


    Laurina didn’t let her finish. “Did Thalia whisper something in your ear to turn you against your grandmother?”


    Grace’s face darkened further as she gritted out: “No.”


    “Well, isn’t that strange,” Laurina said with a smile. “You didn’t actually hear anything, yet you’re using Thalia of


    trouble.” meddling. If you ask me, you’re the one stirring up


    Laurina, as the daughter of the prestigious Kensington family and a celebrated actress, didn’t fear the ckwood influence like others might. She had never held Grace in high regard.


    Laurina had disliked Grace since childhood, always feeling there was something disingenuous about her. During their teenage years, Grace had constantly engineered little scenarios to attract Asher’s attention.


    Being a typical oblivious young man, Asher hadn’t noticed anything amiss, but Laurina had always seen through Grace’s little tricks. Long ago, Laurina hadbeled Grace as a fake.


    Now, the evidence confirmed her assessment.


    Grace was indeed a master of deception.


    Laurina’s hostility was undisguised. Grace could no longer maintain her act and red at Laurina. “What exactly are you implying?”


    Laurina smiled sweetly. “Exactly what I said, dear.”


    you have


    Grace was about tosh out when she suddenly remembered the elderlydy sitting beside her. She immediately switched tactics, adopting a pitiful expression and softening her voice to sound wounded: “Laurin some issue with me?<b>” </b>


    “Yes, and you’d have to bepletely blind not to see it,” Laurina rolled her eyes. “I absolutely detest fakers.”


    99.6<b>% </b>


    “Laurina, have I offended you somehow? Why are you so hostile toward me?”


    Laurina smiled. “Not just blind, but deaf as well.”


    Laurina raised her voice, enunciating each word clearly: “I said, L. Really. Hate. Fakers!”


    After saying this, Laurina smiled brilliantly and deliberately affected a higher pitch: <b>“</b>Did you hear me clearly that time, darling?”


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