Two days until Chatter Night. Evelyn gave everyone a break so they could prepare for the big event.

On that day Hope Newton and Ophelia flew back to Houston, the host city for the ceremony. No sooner had they landed than Iris dragged Hope off to fittings and hair trials. They confirmed the red‑carpet look, then the stage look, then the after‑party look—work stretched on until late. Iris didn’t let Hope go home, worried she’d get caught up in trouble if she was out alone in Houston. Instead, she brought Hope back to Hope’s building complex, Flourish Garden.

If you’re living in Flourish Garden, you at least have to stop...