With a tiny smug grin forming at the corners of Karina’s mouth, she dashed out of her bedroom and hastening her footsteps in the enormous and exquisite foyer, adjusting her short jean skirt every now and then as she walk.

However, the moment she reached the flight of the first-rate zigzag stairs and could not see any trace of Derek Brandon but her mother and Matthew, chattering happily. Karina’s face distorted in a profound frown and the little smile on her face initially was now long gone.

“Where’s Derek?” she asked carefully after she got close to where they were standing at the end of the staircases.

Both Irene and...