Chapter 32

Mary Redferne

As the music throbbed and the chatter of the party filled the air, Judith and I found ourselves tucked away at the bar, indulging in some light-hearted gossip. We sipped on our drinks, occasionally rolling our eyes at the flashy displays of wealth around us—the flashy jewelry, the designer outfits, the pretentious conversations about stock portfolios and exotic vacations.

Suddenly, Judith nudged me, her expression eager as she leaned in close. "Mary, there he is," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the party. "Joshua just walked in. It's time to put first phase of our plan into action."

I nodded in agreement, feeling a surge of adrenaline coursing through me. We had been strategizing for weeks, meticulously planning every detail of our scheme to expose the truth about Joshua. Now, with him in our sights, it was finally time to set our plan in motion.

But just as we were about to make our move and follow him, I felt a strong arm snake around my waist