The newcomer was an elegant woman in her thirties, radiating a refined presence. “Kimberly,” Asher introduced, “this is Dr. Sarah Bennett, the restoration expert I mentioned.”

Kimberly’s eyes lit up with surprise and delight. She’d expected an elderly academic, not this striking woman. She rose quickly to shake hands. “Dr. Bennett, I’m Kimberly Jordan. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your help with my figurine.”

“Oh dear,” Sarah laughed warmly, eyes crinkling. “Dr. Bennett sounds terribly formal. Sarah, please.”

Kimberly flushed, embarrassed at her over-formality. “I’m so sorry—I didn’t mean to be stuffy.”

“Not at all,” Sarah’s smile remained warm as her gaze flickered to Asher. “I must say, you’re quite surprising. Our Asher here is notoriously particular—I’ve been quite curious what sort of woman could capture his attention. Now I understand completely.”

“Please, sit,” Kimberly pulled out a chair.

After pouring tea for Sarah, Kimberly hovered attentively. “Hope it’s to your taste.”

Sarah’s eyes danced with amusement as she sipped. “Perfect.”

“Kimberly, darling, do relax,” Asher interjected. “Dr. Bennett is being very well compensated. You needn’t fuss so.”

Kimberly smiled and returned to her seat beside him. “Always ruining my fun, Asher,” Sarah mock-pouted. Turning to Kimberly, she asked brightly, “Did you bring the piece with you, dear?”

“Not yet—would you mind coming back to the house with me after dinner? I can show you then.”

“Of course,” Sarah agreed readily.

After dinner, Sarah accompanied Kimberly to the Jordan estate. Kimberly carefully unwrapped the broken figurine. “Do you think it can be saved?”

Sarah examined the pieces, brow furrowing. “Quite thoroughly shattered, isn’t it?”

Kimberly held her breath. “But don’t worry, dear. Now it’s in my hands, I promise to restore it properly.”

Kimberly exhaled in relief. “Thank you so much.”

“My pleasure.”

Sarah was privately thrilled. Asher’s restoration fee was extraordinarily generous for such a small project. “Do you have any photos of the original piece?”

“Yes, I’ll send them to you.”

“Perfect. I’ll contact you if I need any other details. Shall we call it a night?”

“Let me have the driver take you home.”

“That would be lovely.”

With the restoration arranged, Kimberly turned her thoughts to settling scores with Drake and Sienna. She called her cousin Alexander. “Alex? I need a favor.”

That evening, fresh from her shower, Kimberly’s phone buzzed with an unknown New York number. Thinking it might be a client, she answered. “Hello?”

Silence. She tried again twice. Still nothing. “If you won’t speak, I’m hanging up.”

“It’s me.” Drake’s voice. “Kimberly, unblock my number and WhatsApp.”

Her brow creased. “No.”

His tone turned awkward. “Can’t we stop fighting? I’ve missed you these past few days. I shouldn’t have said those things. I was wrong.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. We’re over.”

“Over?” His voice went cold. “I never agreed to that.”

“This isn’t a divorce—I don’t need your agreement.” Kimberly’s tone was ice. “Don’t contact me again, Drake.”

She hung up and blocked the new number. Kimberly turned her attention to her career plans. While she could open her own practice, she lacked the reputation to make it successful immediately. She decided to join an established firm first, build her name, then strike out on her own later.

When she shared this thinking with Asher, he was completely supportive. “You’re brilliant, Kimmy—you’ll make quite a name for yourself. Have you considered Sinclair & Klein? They’re the top firm in London currently.”

After consideration, Kimberly nodded. “I’ll send them my CV.”

Meanwhile, Drake stared at his silent phone, feeling hollow. How could Kimberly be so cold? Ending things without a backward glance? He lay in her old bed, breathing in the lingering scent from her pillow. Burying his face in it, he imagined her face. “Kimberly, I miss you.” God, how he missed her.

Sienna entered then. “Drake? Dinner’s ready.” He pulled her down suddenly, passion igniting. At the height of intimacy, Drake called out mindlessly: “Kimberly, my Kimberly, I miss you so much…”

Beneath him, Sienna froze. Her face went white.

The next day, Charlotte organized drinks to celebrate Kimberly’s return. At the bar, the three women settled into their booth. “That Grace is going to be trouble,” Charlotte declared, downing her drink. “Her attitude yesterday was appalling.”

Victoria nodded. “She does seem rather difficult. Your future sister-in-law may prove challenging.”

Charlotte scoffed. “Sister-in-law? Please. She’s the housekeeper’s daughter. ‘Ward’ sounds better than orphan living on charity, doesn’t it?”

Kimberly’s eyes widened—she hadn’t known Grace was the housekeeper’s child. “Why did the Blackwoods take her in?”

Victoria lowered her voice. “According to James, Lady Blackwood was being robbed. Their housekeeper took the knife meant for her. Before she died, Lady Blackwood promised her one thing.”

Victoria paused, watching Kimberly carefully. “Well? What was it?”

“You’ll never guess what the dying housekeeper asked Lady Blackwood to promise…”