Georgia's POV
"There you are," Benjamin Knight's voice cut through the hum of chatter as I slipped back into their circle. He was still standing with Ella and Evelyn, Violet by his side, and from the look on his face, they'd been enjoying themselves far too much.
My pulse quickened. I forced a polite smile. "I'm sorry to disappear like that. My niece called—I thought it was urgent, but she only wanted to say goodnight and chat for a while."
Benjamin's eyes sharpened as he studied me, every word I said being measured, weighed. "Ah. You seem quite close to your niece."
"Yes, sir," I replied quickly, my voice tighter than I intended. "I'm her guardian. If something ever happens to her… It's my responsibility." I kept my tone as neutral as possible, careful not to reveal more than I had to.
"Guardian?" His brow arched, his curiosity digging deeper. "And where are her parents?"
