Chapter 278

Author's pov The afternoon sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of a private estate in the foothills west of Denver. A select group of women, the kind whose names regularly appeared in the society pages, lounged around a linen-draped table. They sipped imported tea and picked at artisanal cheeses, their conversation a low, polished hum. Yvonne stretched, savoring the feeling of being among people again. She'd been a recluse for over a week, declining every invitation since the Dahlia masquerade. The strange events of that night, followed by their hostess's abrupt disappearance, had left a chill she couldn't shake. But even a socialite couldn't hibernate forever. She'd chosen a powerful, brand-new Carolina Herrera dress and decided to rejoin the world. "You simply must have heard about Molly's spectacular face-plant," purred a woman adorned with diamonds large enough to be considered a security risk. Her eyes gleamed with the pure joy of someone holding a fresh scandal. Hea