The room fell silent as Mrs. Margaret's question cut through the air. Her frail body seemed to gain strength from her anger, straightening up on the sofa as she glared at Imogen.
"I asked you a question, young lady," Mrs. Margaret said, her voice eerily commanding despite her age.
Imogen's face paled. "Mrs. Ricardo, I... I wasn't referring to you. I was—"
"Lying. You were lying, as you've done since you arrived," Mrs. Margaret interrupted. Her gaze shifted to Mom, who stood frozen beside Imogen. "And you. I recognize you both now."
My heart skipped a beat. Had they met before?
Mom stepped forward, plastering on her most ingratiating smile. "Mrs. Ricardo, we've never been formally introduced. I'm Ivy Ollie, Juliana's mother. This misunderstanding—"
"Misunderstanding?" Mrs. Margaret's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You called me a 'crazy old bat' when I visited the garden center last month. You refused to help me find my driver and told me to 'get lost' when I asked for assistance."
