Chapter 304

The banquet was in full swing. Madeleine looked effortlessly elegant in the custom gown Beckett had commissioned for her—it fit like a glove. On the other hand, the ladies clustered around Jenny were clearly trying to outshine each other, dressed to the nines. Jenny held her own, though. Being the Merritt family's darling came with its own aura. "Aww, Jenny," said Mrs. Thompson, who had just arrived, clearly heading right for her. No wonder—Jenny was the star tonight. With that Merritt surname, people had to play nice. "Auntie," Jenny called sweetly, stepping forward to support her with a careful hand. "I've been waiting for you all evening. So glad you made it." Mrs. Thompson visibly softened, a pleased smile lighting up her face. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'm here just for you, sweetheart." The crowd of heiresses instinctively edged closer. After all, this was Caroline Parker—Kingsbury's richest woman. Her fortune rivaled the Beach family's, and everyone knew she didn