She gestured toward the younger man.
“This is Daniel.
He works with Dad’s planning team.”
I remained seated.
“Inspect it for what?”
Richard chuckled.
“Nothing sinister.
Just familiarizing ourselves with the family holdings.”
“The family holdings?”
“Certainly.”
I looked at Vanessa.
“Did Jared come?”
“No.
He has work.”
“Of course.”
Vanessa picked up her suitcase.
“I assume the guest bedrooms are upstairs?”
“No.”
She stopped.
“What?”
“You won’t be staying here.”
A small silence followed.
Then she laughed.
“Leah, honestly.”
“You’re not invited.”
Celeste’s eyes narrowed.
“That’s a rather unpleasant way to greet family.”
I looked at her.
“Mrs.
Vale, the last time your daughter spoke to me, she told me to pack my belongings and leave my son’s house.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“Oh, are we still discussing that?”
“I am.”
“It was a practical decision.
You had somewhere else to go.”
“And now you do too.”
