Amanda Thorne was stunningly beautiful, one in a million, and brimming with self-confidence.
As for Elliot Sheridan, she was determined to make him hers.
"Don't worry, Mom. You know me. Has any man ever managed to escape my grasp?"
Amanda Thorne's voice grew fainter and fainter in Georgia Thorne's ears.
Once inside her room, their voices were completely muffled.
She kicked off her slippers, flopped onto the bed, and stared at the white ceiling.
Elliot Sheridan's secretary had sent Amanda Thorne home, but what Amanda didn't know was that Elliot had spent the entire previous night with Georgia.
Elliot Sheridan's handsome, refined face drifted into her mind, and her heart began to race without warning.
A strange panic fluttered in her chest as the scenes from the previous night grew even more vivid.
The man had held her wrist all night, keeping vigil by her bed.
「Four days later.」
The Sheridan residence was exceptionally lively today; it was the birthday of their young lady, Selena Sheridan.
As Selena Sheridan's most cherished friend, Georgia Thorne, of course, had to attend.
Selena Sheridan's birthday celebration was a simple affair, with only her family and Georgia Thorne in attendance.
Georgia felt awkward and was reluctant to go to the Sheridan residence, afraid she would run into Elliot.
Yet, she couldn't bring herself to ask Selena outright if Elliot would be home.
Unable to get out of it, she had no choice but to go.
She had been to the Sheridan residence once before, so finding her way around was a little easier this time.
Perhaps it was a coincidence of timing, but she ended up meeting every single member of the Sheridan family at once.
Selena enthusiastically grabbed Georgia's hand, introducing her to the family, and then introducing each family member to Georgia in turn.
She already knew Selena's parents, and she knew Elliot, too. The only ones she hadn't met were Elliot's parents, James Sheridan and Sharon Ennis.
His name was a combination of his parents' surnames. Just like hers.
At this thought, Georgia couldn't resist stealing a glance at Elliot.
He was holding a teacup, his expression impassive.
"Georgia, this is my second uncle," Selena said, completely oblivious to Georgia's thoughts as she pulled her over to face Elliot.
'She called Caleb Mr. Sheridan. If she used the same title for Elliot, wouldn't that make him seem old?'
After a moment's thought, she called out softly, "Hello, Mr. Sheridan."
She seemed like a very well-behaved girl, and the address didn't sound out of place.
Selena said nonchalantly, "Don't mind her, Second Uncle. Georgia is just really shy."
Elliot's expression remained unchanged, but the way he looked at Georgia now held a different, particular meaning.
'Excellent. A few days ago, she was calling me Mr. Sheridan. Today, I've been promoted to Mr. Sheridan.'
For some reason, Georgia's heart fluttered with panic. She snuck a peek at Elliot out of the corner of her eye, only to find herself caught in his line of sight.
Elliot's ink-black eyes were fixed on her with a sharp, piercing gaze.
Their eyes met. She quickly looked away.
Only she knew that her face was slowly growing hot.
Meeting Elliot had been an accident.
It was on her first and only other visit to the Sheridan residence.
Selena had been sick and had told her to just come on upstairs by herself.
The Sheridan residence was huge, several times larger than the Thorne family's.
Despite getting directions from a maid, Georgia, who had no sense of direction, still managed to walk into the wrong room.