Chapter 7 - The Whispers of London
While peace had settled over the Kensington mansion, the high-society circles of London were not so easily silenced.
At the annual Chelsea Winter Gala, the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume, champagne, and gossip. Alexander Whitmore’s absence was the talk of the evening. For years, he had been the most coveted bachelor in London—wealthy, powerful, and tragically widowed.
But lately, the rumors had taken a different turn.
"Have you heard?" whispered Lady Caroline, a prominent figure in the London social scene, to her circle of friends. "Alexander has completely withdrawn from the social calendar. They say he’s living in isolation with that... housekeeper he hired from the north."
"A housekeeper?" scoffed another woman, sipping her champagne. "Surely not. A man of his status? His mother must be mortified."
"Evelyn has fled to the country," Caroline nodded, leaning in closer. "They say the girl manipulated her way into his bed by using the disabled child. She’s probably looking for a wedding ring and a share of the Whitmore fortune."
In the corner of the grand ballroom, Elias Mercer stood dressed in a sharp tuxedo, his eyes scanning the room. He was not there to enjoy the party; he was there to listen.
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He pulled his phone from his pocket and sent a quick text to Alexander: The old guard is talking. Caroline and her circle are spreading rumors about Grace. They’re planning to make a scene at the upcoming charity auction.
Alexander’s reply came a few seconds later: Let them talk. We will give them something real to discuss.
