Chapter 489

Strictly speaking, whether or not to address someone as "Mrs." wasn't really the issue. Making a fuss over such trivialities would only make one appear petty. Madelyn knew this all too well, which was why she feigned an unhurried apology. To those unaware of the context, it might seem as though Fanny was the one being unreasonable—unwilling to let go of a minor slight even when the other party had already apologized. Fanny clearly realized this, too. Her temper flared instantly! Though born into a wealthy and powerful family, hers was a rare exception—harmonious, without the usual power struggles between parents and siblings. So while she was sharp enough to recognize the traps and schemes common in high society, most of her knowledge came from hearsay rather than firsthand experience. She was no match for a seasoned schemer like Madelyn. Ariana smiled faintly. Cutting off Fanny before she could speak, she addressed Madelyn with deliberate softness: "Titles really don’t matter. After a