Raine frowned, uneasy. "Nancy's who?"

Surprise flickered in Regina's eyes. "Ms. Jackson, do you know her?"

Anyone Yvette knew wasn't just some random nobody. Had the Lidells misjudged Nancy?

With scorn written all over her face, Yvette said, "Of course, I know her. But aren't you her family? You don't even know who she is? She's—"

Right as she was about to say "Nanette, the judge", her phone rang. Seeing Nancy's call brought Yvette back to herself.

She'd come dangerously close to stirring trouble. Nanette's true identity had always been a guarded secret. She loathed the spotlight.

Yvette's gaze flicked toward Nancy's figure, which was fading into the distance. A sudden wave of panic washed over her. She'd almost unveiled Nancy's secret. Her patience with Raine finally snapped.

"You guys are free to go. I've reviewed her performance video again. There's simply no chance she'll earn

"So, you must be Nancy."

The woman's voice rang clear, laced with an unmistakable note of command as she regarded Nancy.

Though a vague suspicion lingered in Nancy's thoughts, she asked nonetheless, "And who might you be?"

"I'm your grandmother, Martha Hadley," Martha said. 

Her eyes roamed over Nancy's figure before she added thoughtfully, "You carry the bearing of the Lidells."

Nancy's face betrayed no emotion. She sensed that Martha lacked the cold, calculating snobbery that marked Andrew and Regina.

"Is there something you want?" Nancy asked calmly.

Martha's face bore a look of solemn authority as she held out a beautiful emerald bracelet to Nancy. "Consider this a gift to mark our meeting."

At a glance, Nancy knew it was crafted from the finest emerald—deep, vivid green, with remarkable translucence and clarity. Its market value easily exceeded a million.

Still, she didn't 

Why on earth would Gideon Fuller be here?

"Nancy?"

As Gideon called her name, Nancy faltered for a moment before answering, "Mr. Fuller?"

Gideon was the Moores' fiercest adversary.

For years, their two families had been entangled in a relentless rivalry, each vying for supremacy within Boraska's exclusive elite. Yet neither side had ever secured a clear victory.

Though only 28, Gideon commanded the Fuller legacy with a ruthless, unyielding hand.

His tactics were sharp and unforgiving, so much so that Ian, usually the calm and composed one, had been driven to frustration, cursing Gideon's name loudly at home more than once.

Though Nancy and Gideon seldom saw one another, she recognized him at once.

It wasn't merely his proud, icy bearing that set him apart. It was the flawless sculpting of his face, so striking it lingered in memory.

A faint shadow passed over Gideon's face as he asked, "Do I really look that scary?"

Nancy released a small, helpless sigh. "Not really."

"What brings you to Riversdale?" he asked. 

Nancy blinked in surprise. She'd always regarded Gideon as cold and distant and never imagined he would steer a conversation toward something so casual.

Flatly, she answered, "I came to find my birth parents."

It had never been a closely guarded secret that she was the Moores' adopted daughter. While not everyone knew, it wasn't exactly something hidden away either.

Suddenly, Gideon's expression became solemn. "Did Ian kick you out?"

Nancy was surprised by the sudden edge in his tone. A flicker of irritation crossed her face as she replied, "My dad wouldn't do that. I chose to come here on my own."

Gideon regarded her in thoughtful silence.

"Mr. Fuller, would you like to head to the private room?" the waiter asked.

Gideon responded with a low hum.

Nancy couldn't resist asking, "But didn't you just say there aren't any private rooms here?"

"Ma'am, this place is owned by Mr. Fuller himself. There's a private room reserved exclusively for him."

Nancy found herself momentarily speechless.

Just as she was about to leave, Gideon broke the silence. "Since you're already here, why not join me for a meal?"

She hesitated, uneasy at the thought. If Ian found out she was eating with Gideon, he might be upset.

"Are you really that controlled at home? It sounds like Ian's pretty petty," Gideon said indifferently.

"My dad's nothing like that!" Nancy shot back swiftly.

She glared at him, then paused to consider. Finally, she relented.

Business was one thing, and on a personal level, there was no need to treat Gideon as an adversary. Besides, there was no reason to refuse a free meal.

The private room was a vision of elegance, its floor-to-ceiling windows unveiling a sweeping panorama of Riversdale.

Behind an ornate screen, the soft strains of a harp wove through the air, lending the space a serene and gentle ambiance.

Yet despite the tranquility, Nancy felt a subtle tension as she sat opposite Gideon. His faint cologne drifted over to her, mingling quietly with the stillness as she took a sip of water.

When the dishes arrived, her focus shifted immediately to the meal before her.

Her eyes lit up at a single bite. "This is absolutely delicious."

Gideon's gaze lingered on her, a faint smile playing at the corners of his eyes. "If you like it, help yourself to more."

Without hesitation, Nancy lifted her fork again.

"You're different from the rest. Most socialites nibble just enough to be seen," Gideon remarked.

"I'm not a socialite. You have to eat well if you want the energy to get things done," she replied.

"That's a fair point," he said.

Their eyes met unexpectedly, and the subtle glee in Gideon's eyes sent an unexpected heat coursing through Nancy's chest. Embarrassed, she looked away, feeling the heat rise to her ears.

She wondered how Gideon could be so different from the man she had pictured. That smile was just dangerously enchanting.

While she was still eating, a message arrived. It was from Yvette Jackson.

"Nance, I heard you're in Riversdale. I'm here on a business trip too. Where are you now? Do you want to grab a meal? I booked a private room at The Golden Crescent."

The Golden Crescent was exactly where Nancy was.

She replied swiftly, "Okay, I'll come find you soon."

Once she had the room number, she said to Gideon, "I have a friend here. I'll just meet her for a bit, then I'll be back."

"Alright."

Nancy had just stepped outside and was about to find the private room when voices caught her attention nearby.

"Ms. Jackson isn't someone easily impressed. If you want to learn from her, you've got to work hard," Regina said, giving Raine's hand a gentle pat.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll give it my all. I heard Ms. Jackson is close friends with Nanette. And Nanette's judging the National Piano Competition this year. Maybe I'll even get to meet her!"

Raine's eyes gleamed with reverence when she mentioned Nanette. To any piano student, Nanette's name was legendary.

She rarely appeared in public. Despite all efforts to learn more about her, people only ever saw the outline of her youthful figure.

Still, each video of her performance caused a stir as her talent was undeniably exceptional. Nanette's role as a judge was a surprise to Raine, making her excitement all the greater.

Smiling, Regina said, "You're so talented. I'm sure everyone's going to adore you!"

Yet no sooner had she spoken than she noticed Nancy standing nearby, and her eyes widened with surprise.

Raine, too, looked startled but quickly regained her composure. "Nancy, have you been following us?"

A sharp wave of revulsion stirred within Regina. She had expected Nancy to be proud, distant even, but she never imagined her to be so intrusive, practically stalking them.

Regina took a deep breath before saying, "Raine has important matters to attend to today, Nancy. You should wait for me by the restaurant entrance."

Nancy's brow knitted in a frown. "You guys are here looking for Yvette?"

Raine scowled. "Nancy, how can you just call Ms. Jackson by her first name? That's incredibly rude!"

Regina couldn't help but show her disdain, silently thinking that Nancy was clearly a country bumpkin with no manners at all.

Her tone sharpened with impatience. "Nancy, don't ruin this meeting for Raine!"

At that very moment, the door to the private room opened, and Yvette's face immediately brightened at the sight of Nancy.

But before Yvette could utter a word, Nancy cut her off. "Since you have guests, let's catch up another time."

She spun on her heels and walked off.

Disappointment settled over Yvette like a sudden shadow.

She looked toward Raine, who quickly explained, "Ms. Jackson, please forgive her. That's my sister. She knew we had plans to meet you and got a bit jealous, so she followed us here.

"She even rudely called you by your first name earlier, but my mother and I have already lectured her. Please don't take it to heart."

Yvette's expression changed to one of incredulity, as if she had heard a ridiculous joke. "Jealous? Don't you realize who she is? She's—"

Raine frowned, uneasy. "Nancy's who?"

Surprise flickered in Regina's eyes. "Ms. Jackson, do you know her?"

Anyone Yvette knew wasn't just some random nobody. Had the Lidells misjudged Nancy?

With scorn written all over her face, Yvette said, "Of course, I know her. But aren't you her family? You don't even know who she is? She's—"

Right as she was about to say "Nanette, the judge", her phone rang. Seeing Nancy's call brought Yvette back to herself.

She'd come dangerously close to stirring trouble. Nanette's true identity had always been a guarded secret. She loathed the spotlight.

Yvette's gaze flicked toward Nancy's figure, which was fading into the distance. A sudden wave of panic washed over her. She'd almost unveiled Nancy's secret. Her patience with Raine finally snapped.

"You guys are free to go. I've reviewed her performance video again. There's simply no chance she'll earn first place," said Yvette.

With that, Yvette slipped back into her private room.

Raine's uneasine

Chapter 6 Martha's Visit