Patricia stared at Celeste, her normally sharp eyes flickering with a hint of confusion. That soft, innocent face—those wide, pleading eyes—it was almost enough to make her hesitate.

Almost.

“See what I mean, Mrs. Ford?” Vivian’s voice cut in smoothly, breaking the moment. “She’s an expert at these little tricks—looking helpless, playing the victim…”

Patricia blinked, snapping out of her brief daze. “Yes, yes,” she muttered, suddenly recalling ...