In a cozy tea shop across town, five middle-aged women sat in a harmonious atmosphere. Soothing classic music played in the background, and they relaxed to the sound of it. The occasional sound was the slight clink of teaspoons against their delicate teacups. Each woman listened to the music and sipped their tea, content with their company. One stood up, drawing the attention of the others. "I’ll be back real quick. I have to use the ladies’ room." She looked to be the youngest out of the lot, with her midi green dress making her look like she was out for an important occasion, which was the case, at least to her. She adjusted her matching green scarf around her neck and turned to head out. Her blond hair hung loosely around her shoulders, and her blue eyes sparkled excitedly. The other four looked at her retreating back, and the kind looks on their faces dropped as if it were a mask! However, before anyone from their group of four could say anything, someone from another table asked her friend, ’Isn’t that the new in-law of the Thornstons?’ Because of the quiet ambience of the place, many people heard and glanced over at the retreating back of Clara. "The woman who climbed the vines into riches?" This comment drew out the attention of many of the ladies in the teashop. This was a popular spot for most of the women of the rich social circles. Most of the women in the shop were aware of James’ scandalous marriage to Clara. They had all witnessed this almost two decades ago. It had been unheard of for even a recently widowed man to get married to a woman with a child, no matter how beautiful she was then. The child being a girl also added to the downside of it. Clara was attractive to the point that it made most of them jealous! Especially because of her daughter, whom most of their men fawned over. That was the most irritating part for these women. Having both their sons and even husbands react that way to her daughter was unsettling! They also did not know of her origins, which added to the resentment or rather dislike they felt for her. They had always alienated her because of these reasons and others only known to them. "She does have some luck up her sleeve. How many of us tried to push our daughters to Ian and Brad Thornston? It’s a shame that she got it! I wish I had a bit of that luck of hers..." "Her daughter looks perfect with him, though..." "Shut up! Do you think that is the point? She got linked to the Thornstons and now we have to fawn over her as if she were our equal or even above us in society when she should be beneath us!" "At least the second son, Brad, is still available.... He -" Clara walked back in then, and the whole place became quiet. "Did I miss something?" She asked sweetly when she got back to the four women. Wendover Mansion, a little later... "Did you have a good time, ma’am?" "Yes, Angela, it was marvellous. I- help me out of this jacket first," Angela moved behind Clara at the Wendover mansion’s main door and helped her remove her jacket as requested. Clara stepped out of her shoes, held the doorpost to massage her feet with one hand, and straightened up. She beamed, smiling from ear to ear, Angela smiled in response, holding Clara’s coat as she listened to her blubber away. ’Finally, madam feels like she belongs!’ "... Do you know Angela? They even invited me out for their next lineup!" Clara gushed, talking non-stop as they walked up through the house and up the stairs. She was so excited that the few workers could feel the mood." Even though the marriage of Shelby had left a sour taste in their mouths, they could all feel the subtle aftermath of happy occurrences. The home was livelier, and they had more resources to go around. Most importantly, the lady of the house was happier. Some still held bitter sentiments about the way Shelby was carried off to be married. The fact that her mother was naïve and uncaring did not mean the rest had no eyes. But if the mother of the house, Clara, were happy, then everyone else would be as well. The lightness of the mood in the home was something not seen in a while, and they all cherished it, for they knew it would be fleeting. Once James was in the house, they only knew it would be a matter of time. "I’m not sure, ma’am. He may be in the study." "OK, thank you, Angela. Let me not hold you up too much. Please get back to your work," "I’m glad you had a good time with your new friends." "Thank you, Angela. I am also glad!" The invitations had started pouring in for Clara after Shelby’s marriage was published in the news outlets. Because of Geneva’s influence, Clara had risen in her social circles within the six weeks Shelby had been married. She could now hold up her head high and smile genuinely with them. This, however, did not mean that the women did not talk behind her anymore. On the contrary, these days were the worst, but the only difference was that they chose to talk behind her back instead. The reason was simple. They all wanted a clear, distinct line to the Thornstons and Clara looked to be the easiest way for them to do so. Clara first went into their bedroom. "I’ve got to change out of these clothes! I already feel sticky!" She gingerly got out of the clothes she had had on for barely an hour and a half! The program she had attended had only been forty-five minutes, and it had taken her about the same time for the round trip, but Clara still took a quick shower and then put on fresh clothes. She then headed straight for James’ study. She pushed the door open, and her face registered a slightly displeased expression because he was not there. She had been looking forward to coming back to his lovely presence. "James? Are you here?" She walked into the room and glanced around casually. She lightly tapped her pockets, looking for her phone to call him, but, "Where did I leave it?" She headed for his desk with the thought, ’I’ll just wait here for him.’ She walked around his desk and sat down, leaning back in the chair. She surveyed her surroundings and relished it. James’ study was cozy in its own way, a small shelf filled with DVDs and other media arranged chronologically and even by colour. Three computer monitor screens were on the desk. This was his workstation. A few sparse things were around that she did not pay much to; after all, this was a place she was very accustomed to. She randomly pulled out one drawer after another, just whiling away time. She found a few of their pictures from when they had initially met in there and giggled, thinking back to that time. ’Those were good times, but I think these are even better times!’ She closed it and bent to open the final bottom drawer. In there, she found a stack of papers and files. She picked up the first one and flipped through it casually, her eyes flickering across the words. She sounded out the letters one after the other. In one of the rooms in the house, James closed the patio door. He fanned himself to get rid of the smoke. Then, he brought out a mouth spray to try to freshen up. This was because he did not want Clara to smell the fact he had smoked. He jumped around a few times and then left the room for his office. "I have to get that unfinished work done," he muttered to himself. The sense of excitement clouded his frame as thoughts of the large business funds he had received from the Thornstons the day before crossed his mind. But this was immediately dimmed as he thought of what he had to ’sacrifice’ to get it! He arrived at his study at that moment. A smile spread across his face, "Clara dear, when did you c-" It was then that he noticed the file in Clara’s hand. It was a file that he knew very well. He paused whatever he was about to say and then quickened his steps towards her. He snatched the file from her abruptly. "Huh?!" Clara looked surprised at his reaction but asked instead. James’ heart skipped a beat. His mind scrambled to come up with an excuse for why he had overreacted. It had been totally unwarranted, but he had been too startled and had acted before he thought. He stuttered, "It-s, I - " Not noticing this reaction, Clara continued, "I see Shelby’s name on it...." She stretched her head and hand up, "That was Shelby’s name, right?" She tilted her beautiful head, her curls dancing around her face that was filled with curiosity. Thank you so much to all for your votes and comments! I hope we can keep it up ^_^ Support the author by reading only on NovelHub :)