Otto went in closer and gave the women a quiet gaze. They were so sheepish that they shrank back involuntarily.

Heidi tried to stay calm. "Otto, we were just gossiping. Don't take it to heart."

"Of course, I'll take it to heart," Otto said, sweeping a cold gaze over Heidi.

"So can you all please keep my mother and me out of your mouths in the future? If you have so much time, pay more attention to your own families instead."

Heidi was dumbstruck. What was going on today? Edith and Otto seem