Page 103 of Owned By a Billionaire

Manon held her beautiful daughter and rocked her, tickling the stunning baby’s nose and making her giggle. Lilly and Gabriel, Savanah’s twins, waddled around as mother and father watched on with bright smiles. Cian and Julian kicked a ball around, and Theadora and Mirabel chatted about clothes and music as they often did, while Mark described Australia to Drake.

Declan drew me aside. “Anything from Natalia?”

“No. I did, however, destroy the letter.”

“I’m sure we’ll hear more. She’s not going anywhere.”

Manon must have sensed we were talking about Salon Soir and joined us. “I’ve got a statement from Tania ready to go.”

I nodded. “Well done.”

As a welcome distraction, for I really wasn’t in the mood to talk about Rey’s widow, Ruby did a cartwheel. That fired up Bertie and Freddie, while Charlie tumbled about underfoot.

“It’s a circus,” Mark said with a chuckle.

I laughed. “Yes. A glorious, bustling family.” I turned to him. “Is it too much for you?”

He shook his head. “No. I’ve grown rather attached to this lot. Children, canines, and adults alike.”

We shared a warm smile.

It was a perfect day. The sun blazed over a thriving garden filled with colorful blooms, surrounding a pond with water lilies that resembled a Monet.

We all watched in wonder as Ruby performed impressive dance moves.

“She’s really showing some progress,” I said, turning to Ethan, who had stars in his eyes.

“We went to a school concert, and she was luminous.” He looked at his wife.

Mirabel nodded, equally proud. “There’s no turning back. She’s totally dance-obsessed.”

“Every family should have a Terpsichore,” Mark said.

“Explain,” Theadora said, joining us as we watched Ruby spinning endlessly. “She’s making me dizzy.” She chuckled.

“Terpsichore was the muse of dance in the Greek pantheon.”

After lunch, we sat outside by the pool so that the children could run with abandon with the dogs. Janet arrived, looking worried.

“What now?” I puffed. I’d had enough drama to last me a lifetime.

The women were screaming with laughter at something, while Declan and Ethan tossed a ball and Mark lounged back with theGuardian.

Before Janet could speak, a pair of constables strode in.

Everyone froze, and my head went into a spin. I quickly assumed they were there for Mark, who looked up from the newspaper. His eyes darkened, and my spine grew stiff.

Everything became blurry, so when the police officer spoke, it took me some time to register that what he said was, “We’re looking for Manon Winter.”

Manon glanced at me with fear in her eyes then grabbed her baby and hugged her like a mother trying to hide her newborn from danger.

“You’re being arrested for the suspected murder of Reynard Crisp.”

Drake looked like he was about to explode. Clearly in shock, he looked dazed before removing Evangeline from her mother’s arms.

“What’s this about?” he asked, switching his attention from Manon to the police officer, but the officer only read Manon her rights as the other constable led her away.

“I didn’t do it, Grandmother.” She looked back at me as we followed them.

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