bChapter /bb47 /b

Elianna faced Freya, who wore a serious expression. “Is everything you said true?b” /b

“Absolutely. Couldn’t be more true if I tried,” Elianna replied sincerely.

Freya’s mind swirled with doubt. Why would this stranger suddenly tell her about Skr? There had to be an agenda–either she wanted something, or maybe Skr had sent her as a trap.

“Why are you telling me all this?” she asked.

“Because Skr is ourmon enemy,” replied Elianna.

Freya frowned deeply. “Why?”

Elianna carefully picked through the story—the switched–at–birth mix–up with Skr, and the events that followed–seasoning it with a little exaggeration for effect.

“She’s been living the life that should’ve been mine. She even stole the man I loved, and my son. I just can’t ept that.”

Freya smiled faintly. “I get it now.”

She stood and extended her hand. “Ms. Stone, here’s to a sessful partnership.”

Elianna shook her hand firmly. “Ms. Lambert, likewise.”

They chatted a little longer, shared some food, then went their separate ways.

That night, Freya returned home.

The Luambert family had already finished dinner. Carlos and Yana sat on the couch–one reading the newspaper, the other watching TV.

“Mom, Dad,” she called sweetly, settling beside them. “I want to throw a party at home and invite my friends over.”

Freya often hosted parties, so Carlos and Yana were used to it.

Without looking up from his paper, Carlos said, “Go ahead. Tell the housekeeper what you need and how you want it arranged.”

Freya hugged his arm, resting her head on his shoulder. “Thanksb, /bDad. You’re the best.”

Carlos chuckled warmly.

Yana looked at them and stopped fiddling with her hands. “What’s that supposed to mean? Dad’s good, but Mom’s not?”

Freya stood and walked behind her to give her shoulders a yful squeeze. “Mom’s the best, bof /bcourse.”

She cooed the sweet words, making them both burst outughing.

When Skr came back,ughter and chatter filled the living room.

“My dear, working at thepany must be tiring, Yana greeted her. “Oh, look–the little one’s asleep? Here, let me hold him. You go eat something- Mom saved you some.”

Her warmth stung Freya’s eyes. bTo /bFreya, she worked so hard to please her, just to earn a few kind words. Skr did nothing and bgot /bbeverything /b

Freya clenched her fingers, unhappy.

Carlos also came over to help Yana hold Adam.

bThe /bbfamily /bchatted as they made their way to the dinner table. Yana sal with Skr, feeding the just awakened bAdam/b.

Freya stood alone, feeling like an outsider. She stomped back to her room in her heels, fuming.

Early next morning, the household was already bustling.

“Mommy, why are they hanging all these decorations?” Adam asked, his eyes scanning the

“Maybe there’s going to be a party,” replied Skr.

“Then lots of people wille, right?” Adam’s eyes sparkled.

colorful ornaments around the house.

Adam was fragile. Yosef worried about him and never took him to any gatherings. Even his birthdays were quiet affairs–just him, Yosef, barid /bElianna

For a kid, it was cold and dull. Not fun at all.

His eyes filled with longing. “Mommy, can we go to the party?”

Skr knew Freya was throwing a party today. She hadn’t nned to stay home–intending toe back only after the bevent /bwas over.

“Uh…” she hesitated.

From the stairs, Freya’s lips curved into a knowing smile.

She had just been wondering how to get Skr to join the party. Looks like this little guy just gave her a hand.

She walked downstairs and smiled warmly. “Skr, I’d like to invite you and Adam to the party tonight.”

Feigning casualness, Freya added, “There’ll be lots of friends there–kids of Dad and Mom’s business partners. It’ll be good for you bto /bmeet themb./b”

“Mommy,” Adam looked up at her hopefully.

Skr narrowed her eyes, a slight smirk ying on her lips. b“/bSure, I’lle.”

“Don’t bete–seven o’clock sharp.”

At seven, Skr arrived at the Lambert family vi with Adam.

There were already many guests inside. Though less formal thanst time, everyone

dressed neatly and stylishly.

Adam looked around curiously. “Mommy, is this a party?”

Skr smiled softly. “Hungry?i” /i

Adam nodded. Skr let out a soft chuckle. “Come on, I’ll get you something to eat.”

She led him to the long table lined with food and picked out some light dishes suitable for kids. They sat on the sofa, eating.

As soon as Skr walked in, Freya heard from the servants.

Holding a wine ss, she called out with a teasing/tone, “Skrb, /bwhy didn’t you say anything when you came backb?/bb” /b

“If bI /bhadn’t said anything, you still would’ve known, right?” Skr replied while feeding Adam. “Why are byou /blooking bfor /bbme/bb?/b”

“I wanted to introduce you around. More connections mean more benefits for yourpanyter,” replied bFreya/b.

Skr didn’t believe Freya’s goodwill. She knew Freya wanted bthose /bpeople bto /bnever know bthere /bwas ba /bsecond bMs. /bbLambert/b. bThat /bbway/bb, /bbFreya /bbstayed /bbthe /bonlydy of the family.

b2/3 /b

Besidesb, /bbFreya /bcouldn’t outy her. She didn’t mind humoring her a little.

Skr instructed Yosef’s bodyguard to take Adam upstairs for protection. Adam grabbed her hand. “Mommy, why bdon’t /bbyou /bbring bme /balongry

He shot Freya a sharp look. He knew when Mommy was alone with her, she’d surely get bullied. He wanted to protect Skrb–/bbnot /blet bher /bget Burts

b“/bbI’m /ba little man,” he puffed out his chest and flexed. “I’ll stay with you.”

Skr smiled faintly. “Then you’ll stay with me.”

Behind them, Freya rolled her eyes so hard they nearly hurt.

Let them enjoy their little victory for now. Soon enough, they wouldn’t beughing. She thought.

Freya put on a generous front as she exined to her friends, introducing Skr. “Everyone, this is Skr–my sister.”

“I’d heard your family found another daughter recently, but never got to meet her. Now that I have, she’s like a goddessb,” /bone praised.

Their group masked their true feelings behind polite smiles–cordial to the face, venomous behind the back.

Skr’s expression was calm and reserved. “You tto ollime. /li/ol

“Skr, who’s this?” someone asked, eyeing the child by her side with curiosity.

“A friend’s kid,” replied Skr.

“He’s adorable… looks familiar, but I can’t quite ce who he reminds me of.”

Laughter and chatter flowed easily among the group–all smiles and friendly tones on the surface.

Then, cutting sharply through the calmb, /bcame a piercing voice, “What are you doing here?”

bAE /b