Chapter 236

The ladies concluded Paisley was the problem. They all knew she was Lauren’s former daughter-in-law. Lauren, initially critical of Christina, now understood. Paisley's stubbornness—the reason for her divorce and abandonment of her husband, Dominick, and son, Grayson—explained much. Dominick hadn’t cheated, just neglected her; and Lauren admitted to spoiling Grayson, inadvertently shaping his negative view of Paisley.

But was it right to give up on Grayson? He was still young, capable of change. Sonny, her older grandson, was proof. Yet Paisley remained inflexible. Dominick pined for her, Grayson cried for his mother, and Paisley's daughter was Lauren's longed-for granddaughter. Lauren had to win Paisley over.

Turning to Christina, Lauren squeezed her hand. "It hasn't been easy for you either."

Christina feigned tears; Diana watched silently. Diana, remembering Lauren's perceived foolishness from school, mused how Lauren, despite her flighty nature, married into the Vanderbilts. Brittany, secretly relieved, inwardly raged at Paisley. The word "adopted," a sensitive subject, forced Brittany into a public confession to avoid suspicion.

Christina, wary after a past blunder, subtly steered Brittany toward the other young ladies. These women were all daughters or daughters-in-law of prominent families, leaving Brittany, Paisley's younger sister, feeling insignificant. The Sullivans were mere watchdogs in this elite company. Brittany, humbled, desperately attempted to ingratiate herself, but her efforts only drew mockery.

Daisy Levine, whose mother had been recently embarrassed by Christina, snapped, "We're not children anymore. Stop the innocent act. It's sickening."