Chapter 9 - What Liora overheard
Liora had overheard part of the continuity scheme.
Not because she was spying.
Because adults discussed business in homes as though children were furniture.
At the second party where she was later isolated, Liora walked into Seraphine’s dressing room looking for a charger.
Seraphine was on speakerphone with her cousin Celeste Knox.
Not my late wife Alessandra. Different person.
Celeste said:
“Uncle Victor never signed off.”
Seraphine replied:
“He will.”
“How?”
“Once Evander and I are married, nobody will risk breaking both families.”
Liora interrupted:
“Daddy says people can say no.”
That was apparently what started Seraphine’s fixation.
She sent Liora away.
Later Liora repeated the conversation to Maya.
Maya laughed because it sounded like adult nonsense.
Then Liora told Seraphine:
“I told Maya.”
Seraphine realized the child repeated what she heard.
At later events, she started putting Liora in the bridal room whenever sensitive Knox conversations occurred.
At first:
Fifteen minutes.
Coloring books.
Food.
Then Liora resisted.
Seraphine began physically guiding her in.
Then blocking the door.
The confinement was partly about control.
Partly about keeping a child away from business conversations.
Then resentment joined.
Because Liora had begun saying:
“My dad doesn’t like secret plans.”
May you like
That sentence reportedly made Seraphine furious.
────────────────────
