Chapter 327

On the fourth day, Cassandra had finally gathered all the evidence she needed to expose Vera for stealing from her. To keep Vera from getting suspicious, Cassandra had Alexander casually mention to Evelyn that Vera should come by for a visit. Alexander couldn’t figure out what Cassandra was up to—she played it close to the chest—so he brought it up briefly while chatting with his wife. When Evelyn extended the invitation, Vera, feeling guilty, immediately declined, using the excuse that Cassandra didn’t want her there. But when she heard Cassandra wasn’t home and Evelyn wouldn’t take no for an answer, she reluctantly agreed. Sure enough, when Vera got to the Taylors’ house, neither Cassandra nor Zion was around. Someone said Cassandra had gone to visit Mr. Hawthorne for New Year's greetings and wouldn’t be back till evening, which put her mind at ease. Not long after lunch, Cassandra walked in the front hall with Zion, a faint smile playing on her lips. The instant Vera saw her, panic