“Henry built that estate with thirty years of work. It is not storage space for opportunists.”
Her words triggered an immediate reaction.
Guests began talking over one another. Others continued recording the confrontation on their phones.
Noticing the cameras, Claire pressed a hand against her chest and adopted a wounded expression.
“See?” she said, whining. “His family hated me from the beginning.”
Evelyn met her eyes without blinking.
“No, Claire. From the beginning, you confused my manners with permission.”
Daniel approached again.
This time, he sounded less demanding and more desperate.
“I was going to explain it after the honeymoon. I thought that once they were already settled in, you would accept it. It was just easier that way.”
Evelyn felt something inside her sink.
His admission hurt more than the original announcement.
He hadn’t merely forgotten to ask permission.
He’d deliberately avoided asking because he anticipated that she might refuse.
