The last of the catering staff had finally cleared out, leaving the Whitmore estate in a heavy, hollow silence.The ballroom, which had been bright and loud just an hour ago, now looked tired. The massive chandelier above felt dimmed, and the scent of lilies and expensive perfume hung stagnant in the air.In the living room, the furniture was disarrayed from the party. Isla, Beth, and Alisha were sitting on the plush sofa, trying to wind down.Isla reached into a designer bag at her feet and pulled out a box. It wasn't the giant, flashy gift she had paraded around on stage for the cameras earlier. This one was small, velvet, and tied with a simple ribbon."Happy birthday, again," Isla said, her voice smooth and sweet. She handed it to Beth.Beth’s eyes went wide. She had already received a huge gift from Isla during the party, and she hadn't expected another one. She fumbled with the ribbon, her face lighting up with excitement."Isla! You already gave me that huge box earlier; you di
Last Updated : 2026-08-08 Read more