Adrian Shaw didn't know when he had arrived.
Serena Stanton's gaze collided with his from across the room, each silently regarding the other.
In that instant, the air seemed to freeze; the surrounding clink of glasses, cheerful talk and laughter all turned into a distant, unreal backdrop.
Onstage, Old Mr. Grant's voice remained resounding. Beyond that abrupt engagement, he threw out yet another bombshell, announcing he would formally adopt Serena Stanton as the Grant Family's foster daughter.
The guests present were all seasoned socialites and at once saw through the Grant Family's true intentions. This was a way to add luster to Serena, to refashion her into someone worthy of the Grant family's second young master.
After all, the future young mistress of the Grant Family could not rely on title alone—she must have her own independent and solid footing.
The Grant Family's foster daughter and young mistress might both carry the Grant name, but the implications were worlds apart.
