It was past nine in the evening.
The party was still in full swing.
Stella Sterling, having had a few drinks, was getting sleepy. She signaled to Claire Shawcross that it was time to head home.
Just a few steps from their private room, a derisive laugh echoed from behind the half-closed door of an entertainment room.
"Do you guys really believe Sylvia Sterling went away to 'expand the business'?"
"Isn't that the case? That's what the Sterling Family is saying."
"They're just hiding their dirty laundry. The real reason is that Sylvia Sterling broke off her engagement, jilted Jude Langley, and ran off with some other guy."
From the sound of it, the voice belonged to Natalie White.
Outside the door, Claire Shawcross knew this was bad.
She grabbed Stella's wrist and tried to soothe her. "Honey, calm down. Don't do anything rash."
Stella stood frozen, her pretty face an icy mask.
