Instead, Emma now stood alone by the garden wall, hiding behind a potted fern.

Just then, a commotion stirred at the front gate.

A loud honk.

Followed by gasps.

Then silence.

A sleek, white limousine rolled to a stop directly outside the estate. Its polished surface gleamed under the garden lights. Guests began murmuring.

“Who’s that?”

“Is it a celebrity?”

“Is that… the mayor?”

The chauffeur stepped out, a tall man in black. He walked around the car and opened the back door with a smooth flourish.