When they reached the second floor, both Anna and Penelope stopped in their tracks, stunned.
The top of the stairs opened into a sea of flowers. The walls were covered in roses of every color, the floor was carpeted with petals, and long rows of red rose bushes lined the hallway.
In the distance, florists were still at work, adding even more color and festive cheer to the floral wonderland.
"Wow, who wouldn't be envious of a wedding like this," Anna whispered.
Penelope reached out to touch a rose, but Anna snapped at her.
"Don't touch anything! If you break it, can you afford to pay for it?"
Penelope shrugged. If she couldn't touch them, so be it. They were all for her anyway.
"This is what a real high-society wedding looks like. The Sullivan family's affair was nothing!"
Anna scoffed, then seemed to remember something.
"But even the Sullivans were out of your league!"
With that, she strode toward the small sitting room. But as she was about to enter, Una blocked her path.
"I'm sorry, guests are not allowed on the second floor."
Anna frowned. "You're a maid here. Don't you recognize me?"
"Miss, regardless of who you are, please go to the reception area on the first floor."
"I'm Simon's sister!"
"Ms. Flores, I'm sorry."
"I'm not just any guest! Now get out of my way!"
"You really can't go in..."
As Una was speaking, she saw Penelope walking over and was taken aback.
"Ma'am..."
"What 'ma'am'? Do I need your mistress's permission? Where is she?"
Una was about to say something, but she saw Penelope shake her head slightly.
Thinking quickly, she stepped aside.
Anna snorted triumphantly, then pointed at Penelope behind her. "She's not a guest, she's with me. Let her in."
"Uh?"
Anna ignored Una and walked into the sitting room.


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