The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella) novel Chapter 161

Delilah eyed the middle-aged man blocking their path with a flicker of recognition, but she couldn't quite place where she'd seen him before. Puzzled, she inquired, "And you are?"

"The lady of the house has requested the pleasure of your company at the café up ahead," the middle-aged man replied, his manner polite yet laced with an undercurrent of haughtiness that was unmistakable. He was the Gilbert family's butler.

Delilah narrowed her eyes slightly, "The lady of the house?"

The butler nodded, maintaining a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing, "Mrs. Gilbert. Miss Mirabella's adoptive mother."

Delilah's expression darkened ever so slightly, "What does she want with us?"

"I'm not entirely privy to the details, but if you accompany me, all shall be revealed," the butler said smoothly, stepping aside but clearly not intending to leave without escorting them.

Delilah frowned, her disdain for Mandy palpable. Mandy's airs of a high-society matron grated on Delilah, not to mention Mandy's past mistreatment of Mirabella. Without hesitation, Delilah declined, "I'm sorry, but we're short on time."

The butler seemed to have anticipated her refusal and added, "The matter Mrs. Gilbert wishes to discuss pertains to Miss Mirabella."

At that, Delilah swallowed her objections. Shawn placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and addressed the butler, "Well then, we shall honor her request and see her."

The butler's lips pursed slightly as he gestured for them to follow, leading the way.

Once the butler had left, Mandy finally turned her attention to Delilah, envy flickering through her eyes.

Delilah had been a beauty in her youth and maintained her appearance meticulously. Her face was virtually unmarred by time, looking no more than in her thirties. Coupled with her poise and elegance, she outshone the typical society matron. Mandy resented Delilah deeply. In her mind, Delilah was just someone from humble beginnings, pretending to exude class.

With a forced smile, Mandy gestured to the seats opposite her, "Please, have a seat. Order whatever you like. It's on the house."

Delilah found Mandy's feigned hospitality amusing but said nothing. She took a seat without ceremony.

Foregoing coffee, Delilah rested her hands on the table and met Mandy's gaze, cutting straight to the chase, "Let's dispense with the pleasantries, shall we? I'd appreciate it if you could get to the point."