Beatrice woke up to the familiar sound of her mother's voice on the phone. In the haze of sleep, she mumbled a response, "Hey, Mom... just waking up." Marian, recognizing the grogginess in her daughter's voice, chuckled and said, "You sound like you're still in lala land. Call me when you're alive and kicking. Oh, by the way, Mrs. Williams is interested in ordering hampers for Christmas." The mention of Mrs. Williams and Christmas hampers instantly brought a touch of alertness to Beatrice. "Sure, Mom. I'll call you back when I'm more awake. And about the hampers, let me know the details, and I'll take care of it," she replied, her mind gradually shaking off the remnants of sleep. As Beatrice hung up, she stretched and yawned, realizing that the day was already in motion. Christmas hampers were a significant part of her mom's business, and managing such orders required attention to detail. With a renewed sense of wakefulness, she decided to freshen up quickly

As they stepped outside the restaurant, the sound of footsteps rapidly closing in caught their attention. Beatrice turned to see James reaching out to grab her arm, but she deftly sidestepped his attempt. Shola and Harry observed the scene, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity. James, realizing the need for privacy, apologized to Shola and Harry, explaining that he wanted to have a quick word with Beatrice.Shola, aware of the history between Beatrice and James, exchanged a knowing glance with Harry, who was left in the dark about the sudden tension. The lunch they had just shared seemed amicable, leaving Harry puzzled about the unexpected turn of events. He looked at Shola, silently seeking an explanation, and Shola's expression conveyed that there was indeed some history between Beatrice and James.James, acknowledging the complexity of the situation, was ready to address whatever lingering issues existed between him and Beatrice. The air was charged wi

Life was a whirlwind, spinning faster than Beatrice could grasp. It felt like the moment one stepped into the first class, the next blink led to exams, and soon the semester had concluded, ushering in the long-awaited Christmas break. Yvonne, her entrepreneurial friend who had reappeared on the scene, found it challenging to catch up with Beatrice amidst the rapid pace of events. The two friends managed to squeeze in occasional meals, but the relentless march of days left them yearning for more time together.Amidst the chaos of wrapping up Christmas orders, Beatrice's focus had been laser-sharp. The demands of her budding enterprise required meticulous attention, and every waking moment seemed dedicated to ensuring the success of her business venture. As the last festive glitz hamper was prepared and dispatched, Beatrice found herself at the threshold of a well-earned break.Returning home for Christmas, the Kenan household welcomed Beatrice with open arms. The family

Yvonne's brisk approach carried with it a sense of urgency and concern as she asked Beatrice about the girl in the red mid-length dress across the room. Trying to get a clear view, Beatrice vaguely recognized the face—a girl with long hair to her shoulders and heavily made up. Curiosity piqued, Beatrice questioned Yvonne's inquiry. "Why do you ask?" Beatrice wanted to know. In response, Yvonne began recounting an unsettling encounter. She had recognized one of her customers in the group and decided to greet her. However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when the topic of the cake came up. According to Yvonne, the waiter, responding to inquiries about the cake's origin, had revealed that Beatrice not only brought it but had personally crafted it for Shola's special day. As Yvonne continued her account, disbelief and frustration colored her tone. "Would you believe this girl took that simple answer and assassinated you?" she exclaimed. According to Yvonne, the

Stepping out of the boat club, Rachel and her friends formed a lively cluster of about ten people, preparing to head home. George had gone to retrieve the car, and as Yvonne and Beatrice emerged, ready to leave, Beatrice couldn't help but notice the girl in the red dress. Determined to clarify if they had any acquaintances, Beatrice decided to approach her.Walking past Rachel, who still exuded a brash confidence, she heard a voice calling, "Hi, Beatrice!" Turning towards Rachel, Beatrice responded with a raised eyebrow, "Do I know you?" Rachel, seemingly undeterred, retorted, "Oh, now you don't know me. If I knew you were here, I would have come over to say hi."Beatrice, maintaining her composure, smiled and scoffed, "Oh, you didn't know I was here to say hi, but you had the guts to fabricate all those lies about me, Shane, Shandie, and James. If you knew I was here, which of your lies would you have retracted? Or what else could you have added? That I was having an