Ella POV
When I reached the end of the hallway, Diana came into view. She noticed me immediately, and a guilty look flickered across her face.
“What are you gossiping about?” I asked, my tone sharp as I fixed her with a steady gaze.
Diana straightened her posture and gave a tight smile. “Oh, nothing of consequence, dear. Just a little light conversation.”
“That’s good to hear,” I said evenly, though my voice carried a warning edge. “I’d hate to think you were still worrying about old rumors. We’ve discussed all of that already.”
I could feel my mother’s eyes on me, but I didn’t take my gaze off Diana. My anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to spill over. Alexander and I had worked so hard to win my mother over. Her hesitancy about him was just starting to fade,
