Chapter 40

She was just thinking about grabbing a bite downstairs when her phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. [Hello, I'm Alexander's mother. I'd like to meet you at noon at the Bordeaux Bistro.] Elizabeth replied with a single word: [Okay.] She didn't even need to guess what the meeting was about. After what Alexander did yesterday—standing up for her in front of everyone—his mom was definitely about to pull some over-the-top move to get rid of her. Fine by her. She needed to head downtown anyway. No harm in seeing what this was about. By the time she arrived at the restaurant, Stephanie Prescott was already seated. Stephanie was dressed in a soft blue modern-style dress, her slightly curled hair pinned up neatly at the back. Her makeup was subtle, her smile graceful. To the outside world, she fit the label of Mrs. Prescott perfectly—elegant, composed, endlessly gentle. But Elizabeth wasn't buying it. There was a sharpness in Stephanie's eyes, the kind that didn't come from bein