The girl wore a pale pink maxi dress, her hair intricately braided. Carrying a designer white handbag, she looked youthful and stunning.
"Shania!" Carson Foster greeted her with a warm smile.
Shania Dalton was the daughter of Carson's aunt on his father's side. Her family lived in B City, meaning she wasn't particularly close to the core Foster family. However, having grown up at her maternal grandparents' estate, she maintained tighter ties with them.
Shania looked at Carson with obvious delight. "Carson, I came looking for Uncle Barton. I didn't expect to run into you here."
Only then did she notice Marina Evert standing beside him. Her expression instantly darkened.
Were homewreckers really this arrogant nowadays? To actually show up at the family home!
"Carson, how could you bring her here?" Shania demanded bluntly.
Carson recalled the morning's events and decided to tease her. "Because I like her, of course. Why else?"
"You..." Shania's face flushed with anger. "Uncle Barton didn't chew you out?" Lowering her voice, she added, "Did you and the Evert girl call off the engagement?"
Carson chuckled. "How could we?" Deciding enough was enough, he took Marina's hand. "Let me introduce you. This is my fiancée, Marina Evert."
Shania's eyes widened, her jaw dropping in sheer disbelief.
Marina took the initiative, extending a hand. "Ms. Dalton, it's nice to meet you."
Shania stared at the other woman's slender fingers. Though visibly embarrassed, she showed no real goodwill toward Carson's actual fiancée. She offered a weak handshake and complained, "So it was just a misunderstanding! Then why didn't you say anything this morning?"
Marina smiled. "I tried, but you were quite worked up. You didn't exactly give me a chance."
Shania's blush deepened, but an apology never left her lips. "I thought Carson was... Anyway, I was actually just standing up for you."
Marina nodded graciously. "I know. That's why I wasn't upset even when you yelled at me."

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