had borrowed a pair of sneakers from a sympathetic nurse and washed her face in t

a cab t

lass and steel, piercing the sky like a jagged shard. It wa

head was high, her sunglasses on

y guard stepped in front o

meeting,

s," the guard said, looking uncomfortabl

h of humiliation.

with a stack of pizza boxes was

er sneakers, holding them in her hand, and sprinted silently across the marble fl

at her. Vivian put a f

it her instantly. The reception area was empty. She could hear

erself. She walked straight to the doub

ingent on the SEC r

stopped

table. Five other partners, all older

looked bored. He slowly capped

is eyes never leaving Vivia

er their files and leave. They

ked shut, the sile

didn't stand up. He leaned back in

ther end of the table, placing her hands on the polish

for sale,

re coming out of the woodwork. Illegitimate children. They want the money, Julian. They want to freeze everyt

ebrow. "A monster?

ow what

llion dollars," Julian

my cash right now. That's why I ne

nterrupted. "Especial

ed around the table, his steps silent on the plus

d right in front of her. "You destroyed me

an, please. That was...

our friends I was the gardener's son and you were just

he found out about them. She remembered the threat. But telling Julian

ed, looking down. "I was a

g with old anger. "And now you want me to save your fortun

, his lips bru

ou go bankrupt will be the h