Hilda didn't turn around.
She had far too much to do, too much to learn. But the person who came looking for her before Jasper could try again wasn't who she expected.
It was Vivienne.
"Hilda?"
Hilda turned. Vivienne stood three paces away.
She wore an all-white suit today, her makeup immaculate, but no amount of concealer could hide the bruised shadows beneath her eyes.
"It really is you, Hilda. You're actually—you're actually her!"
Her jaw clenched. Her entire body trembled with fury. "You're the daughter the Summers family found!"
"No wonder Jasper looked like someone had ripped his soul out at the gala. You're back."
Hilda offered a thin, indifferent smile. "It's been a while, Vivienne."
Vivienne's voice shot up an octave. "Hilda! You knew about your real family all along, didn't you? You hid it on purpose! You wanted Jasper to go crazy over you! You showed up at the welcome gala deliberately. This is revenge. You're punishing him. You're punishing both of us!"