Chapter 606

Reese heard footsteps approaching and shot a warm smile at the maid.

"We all know each other well by now. No need to make a fuss in the main hall- just bring them to the lounge, please. And could you set out some coffee and snacks? We'll have a little chat."

Compared to the grand, formal hall, the side lounge was cozier and far more private.

The maid nodded and left. Reese stopped by the restroom before heading to the lounge herself.

As soon as she entered, Fay Langley sprang up from the couch, clearly annoyed.

"Reese, what took you so long? And why are we in this poky little room instead of the main hall?"

Reese didn't bother answering. She slid into the armchair at the head of the coffee table, poured herself a cup of herbal tea, and took a leisurely sip.

Setting her cup down, she finally looked over at Fay. "Fay, when are you ever going to learn to chill out a little?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Fay shot back, frowning in confusion.

Reese didn't explain, but Kay, sitting nearby, picked up on the shift. Reese had always been gentle and accommodating, usually letting her aunt take the lead. But today, she'd chosen the seat of honor and changed the meeting spot herself. Clearly, she was sending a message—and Kay suspected it had everything to do with today's family lunch.

After a moment's thought, Kay tugged Fay down beside her and offered a breezy laugh. “Reese, is there some misunderstanding here?"

Reese didn't beat around the bush. Her tone sharpened. "Aunt Kay, you were the one who sent Mrs. Naomi over today, weren't you?"

"Absolutely not. She's got two feet of her own-she goes wherever she pleases. Why would she listen to me?" Kay replied, nonchalant, poking at the fruit on her plate with a cocktail fork.

Reese simply took another sip of tea, studying Kay calmly. "Glad to hear it. But since Tristan's fallen ill Dad will definitely look into what happened. From now on, you can't just send the Sanford family's people running errands. We need to avoid any... misunderstandings." s

With a clatter, Kay's fork slipped from her fingers and hit the plate.

A flash of anger flickered in her eyes, but she quickly masked it when she met Reese's gaze.

"Reese, what's that supposed to mean? Don't you trust me?"

"Aunt Kay, this is Dad and Lester's decision," Reese said quietly, setting her cup down. Her voice was gentle as ever, but the message was as heavy as a stone- one even Kay couldn't ignore.

The Winslet family might not have measured up to the Sanfords, but Kay had always held sway in the Sanford household. Now, Reese was drawing a line in the sand.

Kay gripped the armrest, struggling to keep her composure.

Fay, meanwhite, couldn't sit still any longer. She sprang up, voice rising. "Reese, even if Ms. Winslet did something, it was all for you! Who does Sylvia think she is? She's just some nobody! If it weren't forher mother cozying up to Mr. Edwin, how.could Sylvia.even dream of being on our level? There's no way she deserves Mr. Sanford. And she's been sneaking around with Rupert too-" s

"Fay!" Reese cut in sharply. "Rupert and I are getting married soon. Please, don't spread rumors. Whatever your reasons are, I'm not going to ask anymore."

She fixed both of them with a steady look. Reese was usually soft-spoken, but she was still the Sanford family's eldest daughter On top of that she and Rupert had gone to college together a school filled with the next generation of every major

family in town. s

If not for that car accident, she and Lester would have inherited the Sanford Group together. Reese might seem naïve, but she wasn't stupid.

"From now on, stop making life difficult for Sylvia and Mrs. Naomi. Sylvia's with my brother now. She might be my sister-in-law one day."

"Sister-in-law? How dare you! You know I've liked Mr. Sanford since high school!" Fay burst out, pacing in frustration.

Reese sighed. "Fay, I tried to help you and my brother. But he's made his feelings clear. You can't force love." Discover more novels at finḑnovel.net