Anna's eyes welled with tears as a sense of burning injustice washed over her.

But she didn't dare talk back to the older couple.

She immediately ducked her head, softening her voice into a meek whine. "Grandpa... I didn't mean anything bad. I just think she's so amazing, and I wanted to learn from her. Maybe... maybe I just worded it poorly, but I swear I didn't mean it like that."

"Apologize to your cousin. Right now," Holden demanded, his expression completely unforgiving.

Anna felt thoroughly humiliated.

They were forcing her to apologize to this backwoods nobody again and again. Did her dignity mean nothing?

She shot Isabella a desperate look, pleading for help.

But Isabella kept her head down, acting as if she had been terrified by Holden and Kiera's outburst.

Anna was the one getting yelled at.

Why was Isabella playing the victim?

Frustrated, Anna caught sight of Serena sitting nearby out of the corner of her eye.

The girl looked incredibly relaxed, practically lounging next to Kiera with an expression of pure indifference.

She twirled her phone in her hand, a mocking half-smile playing on her lips.

As if sensing her gaze.

Serena raised an eyebrow and met her eyes.

Her look was incredibly condescending, like she was watching a pathetic clown perform.

Anna's resentment and fury flared even higher.

Taking a deep breath to bury her venomous hatred, she clasped her hands together. Tears pooled in her eyes as she looked at Serena with a pitiful expression. "Serena, I'm so sorry. I'm just too blunt sometimes and said the wrong thing. Please don't be mad at me."

"It's fine," Serena replied calmly. "People see what they want to see, especially when their own minds are in the gutter."

Anna's face spasmed, her fingers curling into tight fists.

She was practically boiling over with rage.

Still, she forced out a sweet, overly compliant voice. "Yes, yes, it's my fault. You can scold me all you want."

"To make it up to you, how about I take you out tonight?"

Her voice was dripping with sugary enthusiasm as she pleaded. "Serena, I have a

lot of friends in the United Realmon States. They heard I have a new cousin, and they're all dying to meet you. Please do me the honor of coming out with us. It'll be a great way to get to know everyone. Pretty please?"

Isabella, who had been acting

terrified just moments before, chimed in at the perfect moment. "She's right," she said softly. "Anna's social circle is very exclusive. Theyre all wealthy heirs ando socialites in the United Realmon States. If you show your face and network with them, it'll be incredibly beneficial for your future here."

Kiera's expression softened slightly. "At least you're finally saying something sensible. Serena just

returned to the Lancaster family

Since the Vinton family's business is mostly based here in the United Realmon States, and she holds five percent of the company's shares, she does need to integrate into these social circles."

Holden nodded. "Anna's friends come from good families. It wouldn't hurt to meet them."

The more Kiera thought about it, the better the idea sounded. She patted Serena's hand affectionately. "You should mingle with other

people sweetheart ne

for

you. Once your grandfather and I are feeling better, we'll throw a massive welcome party for you. We'll let the whole world know that the Vinton family's precious granddaughter has finally returned."

At the mention of a 'welcome party.'

Isabella's face drained of all color.

She literally swayed on her feet.

A welcome party?

Wouldn't that be broadcasting Serena's true identity to the entire world?

It would expose Isabella to everyone as nothing more than a pathetic joke—a fake who had stolen another girl's life.