Chapter 287

Alicia Nieves sat bold as brass beside Charles Hale, her whole vibe screaming, "I'm basically the Hale family's leading lady now." Kimberly Hale didn't look too thrilled. Madeleine noticed it and couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. "Congrats, sis. After all these years, you finally got your daughter back," Alicia piped up first, her smile way too smug. Kimberly barely spared her a glance, eyes cold, and didn't dignify her with a response. "And this must be Jenny? Must've had it rough all these years, being away from the family," Alicia added, turning to Jenny with the same fake warmth. Jenny stiffened, shot her a quick glare, then simply walked off. She was the Hale family's official daughter now—no way she'd chit-chat with someone so beneath her. Still, she knew full well—if she wanted to keep her spot, Alicia was someone she had to tread carefully around. "Jenny, don't make that woman an enemy," Diana and Thomas Merritt pulled her aside quickly. "Get through today with