What were the two of them doing here? Elise thought she escaped Tessa back then at Bloomingrose so why was the woman here? This was only a mere chance, wasn't it?
"We didn't expect to see you here, I'm so glad we found you," Tessa said. "Why did you run away from home, Madeleine? You know that your father is sick and yet you're here causing trouble for the family."
"That's not..." Elise stammered for a moment. It was as if the words were caught in her throat.
A patronizing gaze was present in Tessa's eyes. On her face was an unkind smile. "I also didn't realize that you'd stoop so low to this. But I'm glad you're doing well, cousin."
It was there that Julian glanced briefly at Loriel.
"Who is this man you're with? It pains me as your fiance to know that you ran off to NYC to be with other men." Julian said, glaring at Loriel but then clicking his tongue at Elise.
The two of them acted like Elise was a sinful woman that deserved to be scorned.
