Sallie's POV
I had endured Lionel's persistent advances and agreed to attend this party for one singular purpose: to finally meet Frederick and Rosalyn face-to-face.
Though I'd never encountered them before, meeting them now confirmed exactly what I'd anticipated—they radiated superficial warmth while harboring cold, calculating hearts beneath their polished exteriors.
The moment Lionel introduced me, Frederick barely spared me a glance before rising abruptly and stalking out, his deliberate snub hanging in the air like a slap.
Rosalyn glided forward with that saccharine smile plastered across her face. "Frederick gets flustered around new people, Sallie. Don't let it bother you."
Her fingers closed around mine with false affection as she continued, "Such a beautiful young woman. Lionel's incredibly lucky to have found you."
The cloying intimacy made my skin crawl. I pulled my hand free. "Aunt Rosalyn, do you actually understand how Lionel and I first crossed paths?"
