Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

This time, the second Woods brother just gave a slight smile, sipping his coffee without adding another word. There was a sharp glint in his eyes, a hint of something cold.

Fiona came down the stairs right then, catching the moment. From the first time she met the second Woods brother, she'd sensed he wasn't your average guy- there was definitely something mysterious about him.noveldrama

But Jackson had been upfront with her. He filled her in on the second Woods brother's story as soon as she woke up. She found out he was originally from the Maple Grove branch of the Woods family but had been sent to the Capital as punishment by the old patriarch for some past mistakes. Jackson didn't have all the details, since it happened before he was born.

Even getting snippets was quite a feat, considering the Woods family's deep, secretive nature. Despite years of trying, Jackson's influence had never broken into the inner circle of the main branch. Those old-timers in the States were tough, holding onto power with a firm grip, even in their old age.

When Fiona came downstairs, Kimberly's face softened a bit, but only just.

"Fiona, you're up. Come, have a seat," Kimberly said with a gentle smile. "I asked Mary to whip up your favorite dishes, so make sure you eat plenty later."

"Thanks, Kimberly," Fiona replied with the air of a cheerful, straightforward young girl.

The second Woods brother leaned back on the couch, giving Fiona a once-over, a smirk curling his lips.

"So, this is the girl Jackson brought back? She looks pretty young, but maybe Jackson's taste is a bit off."

"If you can't say anything nice, just zip it," Kimberly warned, giving him a sharp look. She thought Scott might have finally learned his lesson, only to find him still lacking in tact. She added with a scoff, "Jackson is nothing like Gerald. Gerald's got a rep that isn't exactly stellar, while Jackson is just so naive."

Scott chuckled at that, finding the notion of Jackson being naive the funniest thing he'd ever heard.

If Jackson was considered naive, then there must not be many schemers left in the world.

"Hey there, is your last name Horton? Any ties to the Stonnell family in the States?" Scott asked, trying to coax Fiona like she was a little kid.

Too bad for him, Fiona was pretty good at playing along. She looked up, popped a grape into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out like a cute little goldfish.

"What Stonnell family? I'm not sure what you're talking about," Fiona said, cracking open another pistachio and enjoying its flavor.

Scott was puzzled, furrowing his brows at Fiona. "Maybe I've got the wrong person."

Fiona kept peeling pistachios, though her heart sank. Scott was clearly suspicious of her identity.

The Stonnell family in the States was indeed hers, her grandpa still alive and kicking. It seemed she needed to find a time to meet up

with the old man.

Seeing Fiona's silence, Kimberly grew a bit irked. She placed the peeled nuts into

Fiona's hand, looking very much like a protective elder.

"Fiona's had a tough go of it. Asking

her those questions is like putting her on the spot," Kimberly said, her tone turning icy. She pulled Fiona to her feet, shooting Scott a glare "Sticking your nose into certain things won't do you any good. Keep this up, and you might never find your way back."

Finding his way back, of course, meant returning to the main branch of the Woods family.