Chapter 4
The Rivers family's tea party.
In my previous life, that tea banquet was what put Lily on the map.
Everyone said she had my grandma's touch, that she breathed new life into the old tea.
At the time, I was still lying in a hospital bed after my miscarriage, watching the news play out.
On screen, Charles draped his coat over her shoulders. She was holding my grandma's tea, smiling like she was the real Wyatt family heir.
Simone glanced at me. "Are you going?"
I clutched the last tin of Spring Mountain White Tea to my chest.
"Yeah. I'm going."
Joe held me back for a moment.
"Are you strong enough for it?" he asked, concern in his voice.
"Doesn't matter if I can't, I'm going anyway," I replied.
I looked at the old saying my grandma had left on the back wall of the tea house.
Tea doesn't care how sweet you talk.
Tea only answers to the hands that make it.
Simone slid a key across the counter to me.
"The back door's unlocked. The late Mrs. Wyatt left a secret compartment. Only you know how to get it open, right?" she asked.
I took the key.
Inside the cabinet, there was a letter and half a book of tea roasting notes.
The envelope was addressed to my nickname—Summer.
For Summer's eyes only.
I didn't open it.
I spent ten years chasing the Wynn family's approval, handing over everything from my grandma just to fit in.
This time, I kept the letter close, right next to my heart.
Outside, I heard the screech of brakes.
Charles stood in the doorway, with Lily trailing behind him.
She was wearing a brown dress, and the clay seal I'd been searching for all night was pinned in her hair.
She caught me staring at the clay seal in her hair and reached up to touch it.
"Summer, this seal looks really nice, doesn't it? I just borrowed it to go with my dress. You don't mind, right?" Lily said, her voice as sweet and innocent as ever.
Simone shot back, "Seriously? Using a seal as a hairpin? And you think you know anything about tea?"
Lily's face went pale.
Charles turned to me.
"Lily's representing the Wynn family at the tea banquet tonight. Don't stir things up here," he said.
I stepped out from behind the counter.
"Give me back the clay seal," I said.
Lily took a half step back.
"Summer, this seal was just sitting in the Wynn family's storage. Mom said it was fine for me to use it," Lily said.
I held out my hand.
"Give it back," I said.
Charles stepped in front of her.
"It's just an old seal, nothing worth making a scene over. You'll get it back tomorrow. Don't cause any trouble at the tea banquet tonight," he said.
I looked at him.
"Charles, you're standing up for her while she takes my things to make herself look good," I said.
"She's helping the Wynn family, and she's helping you too. Bringing the tea house back from the dead will benefit you as well," he replied.
"With a stolen seal and stolen tea?" I shot back.
Tears welled up in Lily's eyes and started rolling down her cheeks.
"Summer, are you really going to make me out to be a thief?" Lily said, her voice trembling with hurt.
Simone hugged the ledger to her chest and stepped forward.
"Mind telling us what all these charges are about?" she demanded, her tone sharp.
Lily stared at the ledger, her face draining of color in an instant.
Charles moved to shield her, pulling her behind him and blocking her from everyone else.
"We'll sort out the accounts later. For now, let's just get to the tea banquet."
He turned to me.
"Summer, don't make me lose face in front of outsiders," he said, his voice low and tense.
I handed the tin of Spring Mountain White Tea to Joe.
"Get the car ready," I said.
Charles's brows knitted together.
"What are you going to do?" he asked.
"I'm going to watch her flaunt my seal, brew my tea, and act like she's my grandma's real heir," I said.
The Rivers family's tea banquet was held at a lakeside clubhouse.
When I walked in, Lily was up on stage, sharing stories about my grandma.
"Grandma Grace always said tea belongs to those who truly care. I grew up learning from her, so no one understands her wishes like I do," Lily said, her voice gentle and full of feeling.
The applause from the audience was nonstop.
My mother sat in the front row, wiping away tears.
Someone nearby sighed, "Lily is so thoughtful. She's even more considerate than late Mrs. Wyatt's own granddaughter."
My father was chatting with a few veteran tea merchants, and he kept praising how well the Wynn family raised Lily.
Charles spotted me as I walked in and hurried over.
"You really showed up?" Charles said, sounding surprised.
I glanced at Lily on stage.
"She claims she grew up learning tea from my grandma. But honestly, has she even met her more than a handful of times?" I said.
Charles lowered his voice.
"Summer, there are a lot of people here today. Causing a scene isn't good for the baby," he said.
"So our baby has to take the fall for your reputation before it's even born?" I shot back.
He was at a loss for words.