Catherine sat in the sunroom studying a Gucci dress. She chewed her lip, wondering how much it would cost to imitate the bold, bumblebee print on the fabric. She sketched a few ideas, taking care to change the patterns a bit. She studied her work and sighed—on cheap fabric, the colors would look tacky and tasteless, but Feather couldn't afford to use the same silks and satins as Gucci. She fiddled with her pencil, wishing there was someone she could ask for help.

A knock sounded at the door, and she straightened up. Ever since the standoff with Sean, she'd started setting a timer on her phone. Every time the timer rang, she took a break. She glanced at her phone—it wasn't time for a break yet.

​​

"What is it?" she asked.

"You have a visitor," Susan called through the door.

"Who?" she asked.

"I'm afraid it's no one you want to see," Susan said. "It's Miss Madison Stewart."

She sighed, she was tempted to send Madison away, but she was also curious. "Fine," she called. "Send her in."

She tidied her sketchpad and closed her notebook before the double doors swung open. Madison appeared flanked by two of Sean's security guards. Madison stomped into the room, and the guards hesitated before closing the doors again.

"What a surprise," Catherine said dryly.

Madison said nothing. Instead, she paced around the room, examining the dresses and touching the clothes. Her high heels clicked against the wooden floor as she moved among the mannequins.

"What's all this?" Madison asked.

"This is my studio," Catherine replied. "Sean set it up for me, so I can take advantage of the sun as I work."

"These aren't your designs," Madison said. "These are clearly Fendi, and that has to be a Chanel over there."

"Of course, they're not my designs," she said, rolling her eyes. "They're my inspiration, though."

"How did you get your hands on them?" Madison asked suspiciously.

"Sean gave them to me as a gift," Catherine said with a smile. "I'm just trying to get a head start on uni."

"Hmph," Madison said. "If you ask me, it's a waste. All these beautiful clothes shut up in here like this."

Catherine smiled at the jealousy in her cousin's voice, but privately she agreed. The clothing was meant to be worn. It was meant to be seen and photographed. It was stunning on the mannequins, but it was meant to move with the sway of a model's hip or to twirl as an actress spun.

"I know you're not here to comment on the clothing," she said. "So let's cut to the chase. Why are you here?"

"I'm here to invite you and Sean to my graduation party," Madison said. "It's this afternoon in town."

"This afternoon?" she asked. "That's a bit last minute. Are we an afterthought?"

"My mum and I didn't think you'd want to come," Madison sniffed. "But Dad insisted we invite you."

She rummaged in her purse and pulled out a creased invitation. It was printed in gold ink on thick, creamy card-stock paper. Catherine scanned the information and tossed the invitation onto her desk.

"It's at the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park?" she asked.

"It is," Madison said with a smug smirk.

"Well, I'm so glad to know that your family can afford that sort of thing," she said. "You know, I've been really busy lately, but your dad still hasn't paid me the money he owes me. I'm starting to get impatient."

"He'll pay you," Madison said, her eyes narrowing.

"Well, I certainly hope so," Catherine replied. "If I find out he's wasted thousands on this little party without making his next payment to me, I'll be pretty upset. Who knows? I might finally be upset enough to go to the police."

Pure hatred flashed across Madison's face. She swallowed hard and asked, "So are you and Sean coming?"

"Sean doesn't like this type of thing," Catherine said. "But I guess I have nothing better to do this afternoon. I'll try to stop by."

Madison glared at her.

"Was that it?" Catherine asked calmly. "Or was there another reason you wanted to come here?"

"I—" Madison began. "No, never mind."

Catherine stared curiously at her cousin, "What is it?"

"Can you and Sean help me pay my university tuition?" Madison asked, her face turning as red as her hair.

"What's that?" Catherine asked. "I couldn't quite hear you?"

"Can you and Sean help pay my university tuition?" Madison asked again.

"And why would we do that?" Catherine asked.

"Because you took everything from us," Madison said. "It's not fair."

"Not fair?" Catherine asked. "I'll tell you what's not fair. Taking over my father's business, robbing my inheritance, kicking my stepmother and brother out of the house, spoiling me, and selling me off to the highest bidder. Do I need to go on?"

"But I didn't do those things," Madison said. "My parents did that."

Catherine rolled her eyes, "Don't play innocent. You helped them every step of the way."

"I was a child," Madison said, tears glittering in her eyes. "I listened to my parents because I loved them and trusted them. I didn't know any better."

Catherine studied Madison's face. Though tears dripped down her cheeks, and she sniffled and hiccoughed, there was something insincere about it all. She looked like an actress auditioning for a part.

"I'll think about it," Catherine lied.

"Thank you," Madison sniffled, wiping at a tear.

After Madison left, Catherine sat back in her desk chair, but she couldn't concentrate on the work. Her mind spun, and she tried to figure out what Madison and the Stewarts were planning. She didn't want to give Madison a cent for uni, but she did want to get more information about her aunt and uncle. Did they know that Madison had asked her for money? Did they put her up to it?

She picked up her phone and tapped out a text message to Sean: Going to Madison's graduation party at Mandarin Oriental tonight at 6.

Though she knew he was in an important meeting, her phone buzzed immediately with a response: Do you want me to come?

She typed a reply: That's alright. I'll only stay for an hour or two.

Her phone buzzed, and she read his reply: Take Geoffrey with you.

She shook her head and typed a response: Of course, I will. But I don't think the Stewart's will try to hurt me.

He replied: You never know. Be good. XX.

She turned back to her sketches, but she was distracted by thoughts of the Stewart's and the party. After a while, she gave up, leaving the dresses and patterns for later. She went for a walk on the grounds, enjoying the later summer heat and the constant hum of the birds, but the bright summer day didn't help calm her mind.

Frustrated, she returned to the house and climbed the stairs to her room. She selected a pale blue sheath dress and a strappy pair of white sandals from the closet. The dress had a high neckline and fell just below her knee, but the cut was modern. She styled her hair, letting it fall in loose waves down her back, and applied mascara and lipstick.