Chapter 308

• I sat back, momentarily speechless after Leona’s sharp words. The weight of my daughter’s blunt honesty hung in the air between us. After a pause, I tried to shift some of the blame away from myself.
• “Well, Avis is Cassandra’s aunt too,” I said defensively. “She’s the one who arranged their introduction. Why hasn’t she come back? Clearly, I’m not the only one who’s distant everyone’s the same these days.”
• Leona sighed, her voice calm but firm. “Mom, you know Aunt Avis has been seriously ill. She probably couldn’t make the trip. Besides, she has no control over Prince Yuvan’s estate anymore. It’s basically managed by his secondary partner. It’s almost like she’s been sidelined.”