[The Carter Mansion—Dinner Table]
The clinking of silverware and the faint aroma of garlic butter filled the dining room.
It was one of those rare evenings when everyone managed to sit together. Gregory sat at the head of the table, newspaper folded neatly beside his plate, Melissa fussing over the serving dishes and Evelyn quietly pouring water into her glass, half-listening and half lost in thought.
Melissa broke the quiet first.
"So—" she said, cutting into her food with a bright tone, "did you hear about the charity event tomorrow night?"
Gregory glanced up with a raised brow. "The one hosted by the Women's Association club?"
"Yes, the very same," Melissa replied. "Apparently, it's going to be quite an affair. Olivia Reid is making a big show of it, as usual." She sniffed faintly. "I swear, that woman can turn a fundraiser into a parade."
