The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1532

She’d heard bits and pieces about Norma, but nothing concrete. Charlotte’s curiosity grew. There was something magnetic about a woman who loved openly, hated fiercely, and never seemed to do things by halves.

“Emily’s mom is back?” As Anthony spoke, Kenneth’s brow drew tight. He looked over at Anthony, struggling to get the words out. “Anthony, you know her pretty well. Do you think she’d ever accept me and Emily being together?”

Anthony didn’t even pause to consider. “Honestly? It’d be tough.” He studied Kenneth’s face, his own expression serious, eyes oddly sharp.

“But… why?” Kenneth asked, his voice suddenly shaky.

“Norma’s always had issues with people in show business,” Anthony said, his voice low and rough, not hiding anything. “When Emily started acting, the two of them fought all the time. It got ugly.”

Kenneth just stood there, his lips pressed together like he was holding back the weight of the world.

After a moment, he looked up, completely serious, his voice almost a whisper. “If I quit now, you think I still have a shot?”

Charlotte blinked. For a full second, she was speechless.

Anthony didn’t answer either. The two of them just shared a look, something unspoken passing between them.

Yeah, someone was definitely in deep.

…

At the Blair Estate, the living room was quiet, heavy with that old-money kind of calm. On the sofa sat a striking woman—tall, poised, undeniably elegant. She looked just over forty, with chestnut waves falling softly over her shoulders and flawless makeup highlighting every feature, all regal confidence and cool distance.

“Emily and Anthony are on their way home.” The housekeeper, after serving tea, stepped back with practiced politeness. “Patricia will be down in a moment as well.”

Matthew and Lavinia had dropped whatever they were doing and rushed back as soon as they heard Norma showed up early.

While the housekeeper searched for a way to answer without causing trouble, a woman’s voice floated into the room. “Norma, you’re back.”

Norma looked up to see Dorothy coming in, her smile clearly more for show than anything else.

Dorothy sat down and eyed her carefully. “You’ve heard about what’s been happening online, right?” She was all concern on the surface, but her tone was pointed. “Kenneth’s not exactly a good guy. This whole kidnapping thing? He and Charlotte were deeply involved.”

“Oh, and,” she went on, acting innocent but obviously enjoying herself, “did you know Charlotte is Anthony’s girlfriend?”

Anthony’s girlfriend?

Wait, that Charlotte—the one her mother and Emily kept raving about on the phone? The beautiful girl neither of them could stop praising?