The Reveal

Catherine hurried to her aunt's side, her smile warm as she greeted Arthur.

"Hello, Uncle."

Arthur nodded in response, his lips curling in approval. He had always liked this girl. She had once nearly gone toe-to-toe with him, fiercely standing up for Jerica and Jared. At the time, he assumed she was simply a close friend of theirs, but he later realized—she had done it for Harold Braddock.

The Glover women fall hard when they love.

He watched as Lydia and Catherine whispered quietly to each other, their bond evident. He didn't bother to listen—whatever it was, it was their business.

A minute after Catherine's arrival, the air in the room shifted.

The heavy doors swung open, and Richard Glover, the family patriarch, entered.

Everyone immediately stood, a silent show of respect, waiting for him to take his seat.