A flush of pink rose to Ariel's cheeks. Keeping her head down, she hurried past the gossiping group of girls, only to bump into Jasper, who had stopped abruptly.

"Hey, Jasper—keep moving," Ariel protested, her eyes darting nervously toward the cluster of young women a few feet behind them.

"Miss Marlowe," Jasper said, nodding his head toward someone Ariel couldn’t immediately see. As she maneuvered around Jasper, who had become an unexpected roadblock, Ariel noticed they had stopped in a small clearing away from the crowd, near the stage. Her gaze fell upon a cream dress, and following it upwards, she saw it led to a neck of pale, porcelain skin and a face framed by a pair of striking sapphire eyes.

"Evans-san," Ariel said, offering a small nod of her own. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the soft lantern light with an attractive sheen.

Suddenly, Ariel became painfully aware of the dirt smudges on her dress and the stray locks of hair that had escaped from Leroy's hair clip. Vainly, she brushed at the delicate fabric and tucked a rogue strand of hair behind her ear. When she looked up, she found the woman staring down at her with an almost penetrating gaze.

"I believe we’ve only met briefly before, Miss...?"

"Kinsley. Ariel Kinsley," she replied, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil.

Miss Marlowe's smile was a dazzling flash of white. "Well, Kinsley-san, are you enjoying yourself this evening?"

Ariel blinked, struck by a sense of déjà vu. Why did that smile seem so familiar?

"Ariel?" Jasper’s voice pulled her from her reverie.

Startled, Ariel glanced down, realizing she had been staring. "Oh yes...it's been quite interesting," she said, smoothing out some wrinkles from her dress.

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A brief silence followed before Jasper continued the conversation. "And are you, Miss Marlowe?"

Ariel’s gaze shifted from Jasper to the heiress. Miss Marlowe’s smile softened slightly towards Jasper, and there was something even more striking about it that Ariel found elusive, almost like she had seen it before but couldn’t quite place it.

"I am, Evans-san," Miss Marlowe replied, burying her nose in a large bouquet of Magnolias. Ariel's pleasant expression grew rigid at the way Miss Marlowe's tone rolled off her tongue. "But I’m sure I’m not the only one. Ariel, where is your collection?"

Attempting to maintain a polite smile despite the thinly veiled insult, Ariel couldn’t help but glance at her own meager bouquet of dying Magnolias—one even missing its petals. Miss Marlowe followed her gaze and remarked, "Left the rest at home, did you? No matter. Who really wants to be crowned as my mother, anyway? Everyone knows her memory is little loved in Magnolia Midlands."

Ariel drew in a small breath. Jasper glanced at her, but she didn’t notice, her mind racing with the revelation that had just dawned on her. The spark of recognition had been lit; now she understood what it was about Miss Marlowe’s smile that was so familiar. It was her mother's smile.

"Ariel, is something wrong?" Jasper’s voice held a note of concern as he observed her carefully.

Ariel pretended not to notice his scrutinizing gaze. "I’m fine," she lied.

Jasper’s intense stare lingered a bit longer than was comfortable, but just as Ariel was about to respond, they were interrupted by Mr. Warner.

"Ariel, Evans-san, what—"

The playwright froze mid-step. His previously friendly demeanor turned cold as he noticed the heiress. "Miss Marlowe," he greeted curtly.

The woman turned to face him with equal froideur. "Mr. Warner."

"We’ve been looking for you," Mr. Warner continued, addressing Ariel and Jasper. "Just having a quick chat here?"

"Yes, actually," Miss Marlowe interjected, her attractive features hardening. "It seems you’ve managed to hire someone with some sense for once."

Mr. Warner stood a little straighter, casting a sharp look at Jasper. "I would appreciate it if you didn’t harass my paranormal team."

Ariel’s eyebrows rose in surprise. His paranormal team?

Jasper shifted, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Mr. Warner with a pointed look. "I was the one who called on Miss Marlowe."

Mr. Warner turned back to Miss Marlowe, unrepentant. "My mistake."

"Ariel!" a voice suddenly cut in.