Chapter: 245

Ted, before running off to join the others, flashed Alicia a devilish grin and flipped her off.

“Just you wait," his eyes seemed to say.

Rachel, playing the peacemaker, dismissed the tension with a gentle pat on Alicia's hand.

“Ms. Bennett, don't let such a small thing dampen your spirits, okay? The child didn't mean anything by it.”

Alicia subtly pulled her hand away, her voice soft yet firm. “If you say so, Mrs. Gray."

There had been a time when Alicia felt a twinge of pity for Rachel, but now, she could see that Rachel was the one who trapped herself in this web of shallow courtesies.

Sensing Alicia's withdrawal, Rachel's face tightened ever so slightly.

Alicia's aloofness, in her eyes, was nothing but arrogance.

They were from different worlds, after all. Alicia was beneath her in every way. Even after Alicia humiliated Randolph, Rachel had let it slide. Yet here Alicia stood, still looking down on her.

Under Rachel's skillful mediation, the tension in the air started to melt away as everyone slowly returned to their previous activities.

However, Mrs. Reyes's makeup was running down her face, making her look like a drenched rat. Rachel, ever the gracious hostess, guided her inside the house to fix it.

Seething, Mrs. Reyes gritted her teeth. "No wonder no man wants her. With that attitude, she deserves everything that comes her way!"

Rachel hummed softly, her fingers deftly working on Mrs. Reyes's face.

"Do you want to teach her a lesson?"

A sharp gleam lit Mrs. Reyes's eyes as she caught the hint in Rachel's tone. She wasn't alone in her disdain.

"Got any clever ideas?"

Rachel's lips curved into a subtle smile. "Oh, I do. But unlike her, we won't lower ourselves to crude antics. We have class."

Later, with time to kill before dinner, Rachel arranged a few tables for cards, the perfect diversion.

She deliberately coaxed Alicia to join Mrs. Reyes and the others, as if the earlier spat had never occurred.

With a warm smile, Rachel invited her over. "Ms. Bennett, do you play cards?"

Alicia immediately sensed the trap, having anticipated this moment.

Now, already seated at the table, there was no way for her to exit gracefully.

"No," Alicia replied coolly, unwilling to be led into their game.

Rachel's eyes sparkled with faux delight. "Perfect! Mrs. Reyes can show you the ropes. It's just a friendly game."

Alicia remained silent, inwardly sighing.

Fine.

She now understood why older men often complained about being roped into things they had no desire for, because she was standing in their shoes now.

She felt trapped, powerless against a force that left her with no easy way out.

The minutes ticked by, creeping past ten o'clock.

She glanced at her watch. Was Caden coming or not?