Her emerald-green gown had been designed exclusively for her. A strand of rare pearls rested against her throat, and every detail of her appearance had been carefully chosen.
Isabella understood the importance of appearances.
She had spent years making sure the Montgomery name represented wealth, influence, and perfection. That evening was supposed to strengthen her reputation and raise millions for charitable causes.
Everything had been planned flawlessly.
Yet while Isabella greeted donors and posed for photographs, she failed to notice that her eight-year-old son had disappeared from the ballroom.
Matthew had grown tired of listening to adults talk about generosity while barely looking at the people they claimed to help.
He quietly slipped away from the crowd and followed the smell of roasted meat toward the service corridor behind the kitchens.
