Mrs. Newton acted like a shameless, bullying village matron—exactly the sort of arrogant woman Hope had seen back in town.

Mrs. Knapp recoiled in disgust. “Ugh. Do you think I’m afraid of you? Go ahead—make a scene.”

“Hmph. No shame at all. You asked for this,” Mrs. Newton sneered, then pulled out her phone and made a call.

“Ambulance, please come into Flourish Garden. Bring me right up.”

She hung up and grabbed the door, clearly planning to make a show of it.

“Wait!” Mrs. Knapp barked, clutching her chest. She’d run into schemers before, but this was shamelessness turned performance art. She rolled up her sleeves like she might...