I know it's logical that the invitation was extended to her because she's Smith's daughter, but as far as I understand, Ekaterina wasn't in town, and just because of that, it didn't bother me so much that my mother invited them to the mansion.
"Ekaterina," my mother pronounces her name in that tone I know very well. Her delight isn't entirely genuine. "Dear, I thought you were in Brooklyn."
"And miss out on celebrating our boss's birthday, Mrs. Romanova?" She laughs with that grace that only comes out when she wants to show off completely. "I was about to not come, but the Smith's have never missed the boss's birthday, and this year won't be an exception."
"Of course," my mother proclaims. "Thank you for coming."
"Happy birthday, Mr. Romanov," she says in that kind of tone that borders
