But inside, he felt conflicted. He didn't even know why he was covering for Jane. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was obligation. He just knew one thing for certain—he couldn't let his mother find out about his bargain with Jane. If she did, she wouldn't hesitate to taint Jane's family's reputation, destroying them without a second thought.
Mrs. Lugard regarded him for a moment before a slow, knowing smirk spread across her lips. "Well then, just keep your distance from her," she said, her tone deceptively light. "I want you to go for the other sister."
Fredrick's eyes widened in shock. "The other sister?" he repeated, disbelief evident in his voice. "What's her name again? Yes… Elena?"
He shook his head, struggling to process her sudden change of heart. "Mom, just a few minutes ago, you didn't even want to have anything to do with them. And now this?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.
