It was James.
When he saw me, his eyes ignited with a long-lost fury.
Why was he here?
"Ms. King, it's been years! You've grown into a fine young lady!"
The small-eyed middle-aged man closest to me stood up, squinting with a smile. "You really carry the charm of your mother, Sarah, from her younger days!"
I recognized his face, vaguely recalling him from the Anderson family events, though back then, Daniel was the one towering over everyone.
Others chimed in. "Truly, the student has become the teacher!"
After those brief compliments came the blatant probing. "You and James really are a united sibling front today, aren't you?"
The man's shifty eyes darted between James and me, trying to read our expressions.
After all, the tension between James and my mom was no secret in Azureville. Everyone knew the likelihood of us standing together was slim.
I glanced at James, who was already looking at me with rare gentleness.
He knew me well enough to trust that I wouldn't let the Anderson family's assets fall into the wrong hands.