When Naomi heard Tristan was looking for her, she figured he wanted to

    As Sylvia stepped into the living room, she was surprised to see not only the Garcias but the entire Sanford n gathered there as well.

    The second the two women entered, every pair of eyes in the room fixed on them with thinly veiled contempt.

    Sylvia barely made it to the center of the room before she met Rupert''s icy stare.

    He was seated at the head of the room, slowly twisting a ruby ring around his finger, his face set in a look of cold detachment.

    Sylvia instantly knew-something had gone terribly wrong.

    She''d barely found her footing when she noticed dozens of unwrapped gift bags scattered across the floor.

    Before she could say a word, Reese hurried over, worry etched all over her face. "Sylvia, what''s going on with these gifts?"

    Sylvia leaned in for a closer look but Naomi, as if recalling something, jumped in, "Ms. Sanford, did we forget something in the gift bags? I can call someone to fix it right away."

    Reese held up her hand to stop her, her face conflicted as she turned to Sylvia. "Sylvia, are you sure you weren''t too tired and missed something?"

    Sylvia frowned, confused, just as the sound of a porcin cup ttering onto a saucer echoed from the side sofa.

    She nced over and saw a woman in a champagne-colored silk dress, a pair of elegant ck Tahitian pearls dangling from her ears. The woman sat with a regal posture, every inch exuding sophistication.

    She wore a gentle smile, but her eyes were cold as theynded on Sylvia and Naomi.

    "Reese, I know you mean well," the woman said, her tone smooth but firm, "but this concerns the reputation of both families. We need an exnation."

    "Aunt Kay! Sylvia and Naomi have always treated me kindly. I trust thempletely," Reese blurted, her voice strong.

    Aunt?

    Sylvia''s mind raced, searching for any memory of this woman.

    In her past life, after marrying Rupert and having their child, she''d been kept on a tight leash, rarely allowed out. Her only escape was browsing the inte.

    It took her a moment, but she remembered-Kay Winslet.

    Mrs. Sanford''s closest friend, and the only female CEO of the Winslet Group.

    Brilliant, refined, and famously independent.

    After Mrs. Sanford passed away,

    Kay had practically be a second mother to the Sanford

    Though not rted by

    blood, they all called her "Aunt Kay."

    Rumors once swirled that she wanted to marry into the Sanford family herself, but

    Kay had publicly dered herself a lifelong bachelorette.

    Sylvia only knew about this old

    gossip because, yearster, Kay had stunned everyone by marrying a mysterious man and moving

    abroad-breaking her own voel?

    tabloids had gone wild, and Sylvia had seen a single paparazzi shot of the couple at the airport. For some reason, the man''s silhouette had seemed oddly familiar.

    Now, Kay stood, her smile barely there.

    "Your sister-inw? Reese, just because you give your heart to someone doesn''t

    mean they won''t take advantage."

    Reese bit her lip, lost for words.

    "Ms. Winslet, what are you

    implying? Naomi shot back, her

    voice heated. "I''ve barely slept these past few days, handling every detail myself for Reese and Rupert''s engagement."

    Kay gave her a mirthless smile. "Of course you did. Otherwise, how else would you pocket so much on the side?"

    "Ms. Winslet, this is the Garcia family''s house," Naomi snapped, trying to save face. "Please watch what you say."

    "Is that so?"

    Kay cast a nce at the mess of gift bags on the floor.

    A sinking feeling hit Sylvia. She tore open one of the boxes at random.

    The second she held the custom bracelet in her hand, she realized it was far too light.

    Luxury brands always had their marks. Sylvia checked for the maker''s stamp and felt her blood run cold.

    What was supposed to be a tinum and diamond bracelet was actually made of silver and cubic zirconia. The price difference was staggering.

    With at least fifty boxes here, that was nearly half a million dors gone.

    Sylvia''s fingers trembled.

    Naomi looked over dismissively and huffed, "Everything''s here. How can you

    use me of skimming off the top?"