At the Dalton residence, Joy's mother, Mrs. Dalton, was watching TV. She was in a good mood. After all, the Sterling family had finally acknowledged Sharon Sterling.
Just then, the landline began to ring insistently. Mrs. Dalton snatched up the receiver impatiently. "Who is this?"
Hearing Mrs. Dalton's voice, the person on the other end fell silent for a moment before urgently asking, "This is Nanny Vaughn from the Sterling residence. Is Joy Dalton in?"
"Joy?" Mrs. Dalton's brow furrowed. "She's not here. She went out."
Right then, only Mrs. Dalton and her paralyzed husband were at home. Sharon Sterling had already departed for the Sterling residence, and Joy had taken a call from a beauty salon before heading out in high spirits.
When Nanny Vaughn heard that Joy wasn't in, she grew troubled and fell silent.
Mrs. Dalton said impatiently, "If you need Joy for something, just call her cell."
