The Auction Trap

Elise jolted at her mother's words. For a second there, she almost blurted out Maeve's true origins. But now, hearing her mother's reasoning, she had to admit it made sense.

'No way am I letting Maeve ruin my future,' she told herself. 'Better keep this under wraps for now'

*****

The next day, the Vance brothers were all away on business, leaving the Vance residence unusually quiet.

Elise received