"So, you’re saying Tina Wallace bailed Seraphina Sutton out."

"Yes. But this Tina Wallace gives me a really bad feeling, and I can’t put my finger on why."

Wren’s head throbbed. She wanted to turn down all of Tina Wallace’s invitations, but her enthusiasm made it impossible to refuse.

Finn Wynter walked around to sit beside Wren, crossing his legs and letting out a nonchalant laugh.

"There are only two possibilities. Either the two of them are teaming up against you and Kaden Xavier, or..."

Finn Wynter paused. The lazy look on his face vanished, replaced by a cold, grave expression.

"Seraphina Sutton killed Tina Wallace and took her place."

Wren gasped, and Shaun Quinn’s face darkened, his hands clenching into fists.

DING—

Suddenly, Wren’s ringtone made all three of them jump. She quickly pulled out her phone, and the name on the screen made her face turn pale.

It was Tina Wallace.

Finn Wynter gestured for Wren to answer. Her hand trembled as she accepted the call.

"Wren, what are you up to? Why’d it take you so long to answer?"

"What’s up?"

Wren suppressed her shock, composing herself before speaking to Tina Wallace.

"I’m so bored at home. Let’s go shopping tomorrow. A new store just opened in Esterlyn, we should go check it out."

Wren pursed her lips, her mind racing as she debated whether she should go.

’If I don’t go, she’ll probably get suspicious and realize I know something. But if I do go, the risk is high. It’s like walking right into the lion’s den.’

’But to get to the bottom of all this,’ Wren decided, ’the risk is worth taking.’

"Okay, sounds good. Tomorrow at ten a.m., then. Don’t be late."

With that, Wren hung up the phone.

She looked up and met two pairs of eyes filled with confusion and concern.

"Wren, you shouldn’t have agreed to that."

Finn Wynter disapproved of Wren’s decision. She knew Tina Wallace had bad intentions; going with her was like serving herself up on a platter.

"Brother, I have to find out what they’re up to. Seraphina Sutton murdered Grandma, I can’t just stand by and watch her get away with it!"

Wren would never forget the moment she saw Old Madam Xavier’s body. As a doctor, she could almost feel the pain of every stab wound that pierced her flesh.

’Grandma was so good, so kind to her. How could Seraphina bring herself to do it?’

"I understand how you feel, but Seraphina Sutton is a madwoman."

Shaun Quinn’s expression was grim as he voiced his disagreement with Wren’s plan.

But Wren’s mind was made up. She wasn’t going to change it. To catch Seraphina Sutton, she had to use herself as bait.

"Okay, don’t you two worry. So far, they haven’t done anything to me. I’ve been on guard around Tina Wallace. I’ll be careful and play it by ear."

"But..."

"Brother, look, worst-case scenario, you two can just secretly follow me when I go out tomorrow. That should be okay, right?"

Finn Wynter pressed his lips together and exchanged a look with Shaun Quinn. Realizing Wren wouldn’t change her mind, he nodded in agreement.

「The next morning.」

Wren finished packing and set off for their meeting spot. From a distance, she could already see Tina Wallace waiting there.

She was wearing a pink, tweed-style dress with light makeup, and she carried that familiar Louis Vuitton bag.

’It really is her.’

This made Wren even more certain that Tina Wallace was the one who had bailed out Seraphina Sutton. As for whether the Tina Wallace in front of her was the real deal or Seraphina in disguise, she’d have to investigate further.

"Wren, you’re finally here!"

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Wren wiped the serious expression from her face, revealing a smile. "Let’s go."

Tina Wallace expertly linked her arm with Wren’s, and the two headed toward the luxury store in Esterlyn.

「Meanwhile.」

Shaun Quinn and Finn Wynter peeked out from their hiding spot. After confirming there was no one else suspicious around, they secretly followed.

Upon entering the store, a sales associate came over to introduce the bags and clothes to them.

Just then, a familiar and disgusting voice came from the side.

"Wren? What are you doing here?"

Helen Sawyer stood with her arms crossed, glaring at Wren with disgust. When she saw Tina Wallace beside her, a look of surprise immediately appeared on her face.

"Tina, you... why are you two together?"

"Mrs. Xavier, Wren and I are just shopping. We’re good friends now. She’s not at all as annoying as you said. Could there be some misunderstanding between you two?"

"Misunderstanding? Tina, don’t be fooled by her act! She’s a homewrecker. She’s already divorced Kaden, but she still shamelessly clings to him. She has no decency!"

Helen Sawyer’s disgusted gaze swept over Wren’s calm face, hoping to see a crack in her composure, a flash of anger. But Wren showed no reaction, even calmly picking up a nearby garment to examine it.

This left Helen Sawyer feeling utterly defeated. Her face contorted with rage as she glared at Wren, then stepped forward to pull Tina Wallace to her side.

"Mrs. Xavier, Wren isn’t the kind of person you’re describing."

Tina Wallace wore a troubled expression. Wren raised an eyebrow. ’If I didn’t already know she was the one who bailed out Seraphina Sutton, I might have actually been swayed by her words and started to like her.’

"Tina, you’re just too kind-hearted. She only married Kaden for our Xavier family’s fortune. She got a hefty settlement when they divorced, too. Kaden gave her a lot of property."

"Ms. Sawyer, that was my rightful share. If you have a problem with it, you can take it up with Kaden Xavier, or you can file an appeal. If a judge rules that I should return the properties, I will gladly hand them over."

Wren smiled, pressing her lips together. Her words left Helen Sawyer speechless, and she could only glare at Wren with an ugly expression.

She turned to the store manager who had been following her, her shrill voice echoing through the shop. "What are you all looking at?! Hurry up and throw this woman out! She’s an eyesore!"

"Mrs. Xavier, but..."

The manager looked troubled. Wren Wynter’s background wasn’t simple, and he couldn’t afford to offend anyone present.

"But what? She’s nothing but my son’s cast-off, what are you afraid of? If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility. No one will dare say a word."

Helen Sawyer’s arrogant display was so absurd it made Wren want to laugh.

’She’d take responsibility?’

’What power did she even have?’

"Mrs. Xavier, let’s just drop it. Wren isn’t that kind of person..."

Tina Wallace tried to placate Helen Sawyer, but this only enraged her further. She clutched her handbag and pulled out a black card.

"If you throw her out for me, I’ll buy out your entire stock of the newest bags!"

The manager’s eyes lit up the moment the black card came out. He grit his teeth, seemingly ready to throw caution to the wind, and looked up at Wren with a vicious glare.

"Didn’t you hear me? Hurry up and get her out of here?!"