Chapter 3

The morning sun poured through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of the breakfast room, catching the polished silver cutlery.

Evelyn walked down the stairs. She wore her prep school uniform, the pleated skirt perfectly ironed. In her right hand, she held a piece of paper.

She walked into the dining room and dropped the paper directly in the center of the table. A bright red 'A+' was circled at the top of the Calculus exam.

Christa sat in her silk robe, holding a cup of black coffee Maura had just poured.

Christa let her eyes drag over the red ink. Her heart rate did not change. She raised one eyebrow, waiting.

Evelyn pulled out her chair and sat down. She bit her lower lip, feigning a look of deep maturity.

"I know things have been tense," Evelyn started, her voice measured. "But my GPA is still top of the class. I'm a prime Ivy League candidate. I know how to balance my academic responsibilities with my personal life."

Christa took a slow sip of her coffee. The bitter liquid burned the back of her throat. She remained completely silent.

Evelyn took a deep breath, her fingers twisting together under the table.

"I want to bring Dante over for dinner this Friday," Evelyn rushed out. "I want to introduce him properly. He's actually really misunderstood, Mom. If you just gave him a chance to sit at our table, you'd see he's not who you think he is."

Evelyn stared at Christa's face, bracing herself. She had already prepared her speech. She was ready to scream about classism, about how they were snobs who didn't understand real love. She waited for the explosion.

Christa picked up her silver spoon. She stirred her black coffee. The metal scraped against the porcelain with a sharp, clear ring.

She looked up, her eyes flat and unreadable.

"Alright," Christa said. "Friday night. Seven o'clock. Tell him to be on time."

The words hit Evelyn like a physical blow. Her mouth fell open slightly. Her brain completely stalled, unable to process the lack of resistance.

It took three full seconds for the shock to wear off. When it did, a rush of pure, arrogant ecstasy flooded Evelyn's chest. She had won. She had beaten the matriarch of the house with sheer logic and academic leverage.

Evelyn quickly ducked her head to hide the massive smirk breaking across her face.

"Thank you, Mom," Evelyn said, her voice trembling with barely contained excitement.

She didn't even bother grabbing a piece of toast. She grabbed her backpack and practically sprinted out of the dining room toward the waiting town car.

The moment the car door slammed shut, Evelyn pulled out her phone and dialed Dante's number.

"She caved," Evelyn practically squealed into the receiver. "The old bat actually caved. You're coming to dinner on Friday. Wear that suit we bought, and act like you own the place."

Inside the dining room, Christa watched the black car roll down the driveway. The temperature in her eyes dropped below freezing.

Maura stepped out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Her face was tight with worry.

"Ma'am," Maura hesitated. "Are we really hosting that boy? The staff has heard things about him from town."

Christa turned around. The posture of the relaxed mother vanished, replaced by the rigid spine of the estate's master.

"We are," Christa said. "Prepare a standard family dinner. No wagyu. No white truffles. Keep it basic."

Maura nodded slowly.

"And Maura," Christa added, her tone dropping. "Do not use the antique porcelain plates. Use the everyday ceramic. I don't want anything valuable shattered when the trash takes itself out."

Maura's eyes widened slightly in understanding. She bowed her head and retreated to the kitchen.

Christa picked up her phone from the table. She opened her messages and selected her son's contact. Camren was currently at his boarding school in New Hampshire.

She typed out a single, non-negotiable text.

Come home this Friday night. Mandatory family dinner.

She hit send. The trap was set.