Briar and Ellen left the amusement park around 8 PM. They had dinner there a new kids‘ meat from a fried chicken ce that came with a toy meant for toddlers.
Ellen had never tried fried chicken before. She loved it, especially the ice–cold c. She even crunched the leftover ice cubes with a big grin on her face.
It was also the first toy she’d ever received. Even though she was technically too old for it, she looked like she was about to cry. She clutched it like a treasure and kept thanking Briar, promising to take good care of it.
After spending the day with her, Briar liked Ellen even more. She thought the girl was sweet, easy to please, and didn’t ask for much. As they reached Ellen’s ce, Briar said, “Start packing your stuff in the next couple of days. I’ll help you move into Moonspring Estate soon.”
“Okay, I will!” Ellen said, beaming with excitement,
Briar nodded and turned to go, then paused. “Oh, and don’t give your new address to anyone. Especially not your foster parents.”
Ellen froze, and her expression turned serious. She nodded hard. “I won’t tell anyone.”
She knew the house wasn’t really hers–her brother had bought it for her. She didn’t want her greedy foster parents showing up and causing problems
for him.
Briar could guess what was going through Ellen’s head, but she didn’t say anything else.
As for how Ellen’s foster parents had treated her, that wasn’t Briar’s business to handle. Sam would deal with it when he came back.
Briar got on her motorcycle and rode off. What she didn’t notice was the in ck car parked across the street. Inside, in the passenger seat, sat a man with a nasty scar on his left cheek.
Briar had been out all day. By the time she got home that night, all four members of the Jennings family were gathered in the living room, looking way too cheerful, like they were up to something.
Briar scoffed inwardly, thinking they were probably working on another stupid scheme.
“Wee home, Briar,” Beatrice said sweetly, like all the cruel things she’d said before had never happened.
Briar didn’t bother responding. She looked straight at Edgar. “What is it?”
Edgar cleared his throat and gave Halle a quick look.
Halle smiled, overly polite. “Briar, you’ve been back for a while now. We thought it’d be nice to throw you a wee party this Saturday. What do you think?”
Briar said nothing, just stared at her.
Halle kept going, a little forced <i>now</i><i>. </i><i>“</i><i>Your </i>dad thinks it’s a good idea. We want to introduce you to everyone and help you make some friends. Maybe yo can find someone to go shopping with. And it’s good <i>to </i>know people before you start school at Shoneport University…”
She rambled for a bit, but Briar didn’t react. The silence eventually made Halle trail off awkwardly.
Edgar’s face darkened. “What? You’re not okay with it, huh? Halle’s doing this for you. You should be grateful. It’s meant to make yo Already tired of the setup, Briar interrupted him without a hint of patience, “Fine. Whatever. Is Javiering?”
Edgar hesitated, clearly caught off guard. Well, we’re one of the top families in Shoneport. We have to invite the other big names.”
good-”
13:36 Mon, 28 JI SD
24:3
Halle<b>, </b><b>more </b><bposed</b><b>, </b>chimed <b>in </b>smoothly with a practiced smile, <b>“</b>Briar, you know how <b>close </b>our family is with the Hargreaves family. Of course <b>will </b><b>be </b><b>there</b>.<b>” </b>
<b>In </b>reality, Javier was the whole point of the party. They were nning to use Briar’s wee party as a cover to go public with <b>Bearize </b>and jejer s rtionship.
Javier would officially break off the engagement with Briar at the event, so Beatrice could step in without bacsh.
Before Briar came back, nobody really cared if Beatrice and Javier were seen together. They were both technically single, so it didn’t raise any <b>eyebrows </b>
Plus, Briar and Javier’s engagement had been arranged by Edgar’s first wife–who’d passed away–so most people didn’t take it seriously <b>anyway </b>
But now that Briar was back, things were different.
In rich circles, appearances matter. If Briar and Javier didn’t officially call off the engagement, people might start talking–and not in a good <b>way</b><b><i>. </i></b>It could end up making Beatrice look bad.
Briar had figured out their little scheme the moment they brought up the wee party. Their so–called good intentions wereughable. Still, she smiled and said, “Sure, go ahead and throw the party.”
They really thought they were being slick. But this n was bound to blow up in their faces.
Halle was caught off guard by how easily Briar agreed. For a second<b>, </b>she didn’t know what to say.
Then she smiled brightly and said, “Perfect! Tomorrow I’ll take you and Beatrice dress shopping. It’s your first real event as an adult–you have to look stunning.”
Edgar also seemed pleased. He pulled out a credit card and handed it over. “There’s 150 thousand dors on this. Use it all if you need to. No need to hold back.”
Beatrice snatched the card before Briar could even move. “Thanks, Dad. You’re always so good to Briar and me.”
Edgar patted her head like she was still a little child. “You’re both my daughters. Of course I’m good to you.”
Briar watched <i>them </i><i>put </i>on their little family show and yawned. “Are we done here? I’m going upstairs.”
Honestly, she thought 150 thousand dors wasn’t much. It was nothing to get worked up about. Beatrice could keep it if she wanted–Briar wasn’t interested.
Seeing Briar so calm, Halle and Beatrice assumed <i>she </i>was just putting on a brave face. They figured she was heartbroken over Edgar favoring Beatrice, In their minds<i>, </i>Briar would probably go cry in her roomter.
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