into the ultra-wealthy encla

black wrought-iron gates ador

e golf course, and a shimmering artificial lake rolled by. It

k against the prem

e sprawling estate with absolute indifference. T

r through the r

ly. He was deeply shocked by how calm she

assive stone mansion that l

sp uniforms stood in two perfe

ar st

it. She stepped out onto the gravel, her cheap canva

ors of the main

out. Sterling was a ruthless financial titan,

Alondra and

practically ran down the stone ste

und Alondra, pulling h

ondra's shoulder. "My beautiful gi

uscles inst

as the raw, unconditional warmth of a mother's tears soaked thr

od right beh

d. His chest hea

ped Alondra's shoulder tightly. "No one will

soft, sickeningly sweet voice

her? Is she

walked out o

made her look like an innocent ange

t her hand toward Alondra. "I am

opped to Chanel's

in the tendons of Chanel's wrist. It

The stench of jealousy and hatred rol

idn't tak

gave a shor

pure venom crossed her eyes, but she insta

back and lightly tou

hispered, looking at Eleonora with w

ckly wiped h

, rubbing Chanel's arm. "She's

y linked her arm

der woman, physically claiming her

nto the gran

the walls. A maid set a silver tray with

reached for the h

u, sister," Chan

Instead, she feigned a clumsy stumble on the thick Persian rug, tilting the heavy si

s reflex

sharp, excruciating twist, she forced Chanel's hand backward. The boiling tea splashed

ped sharpl

clatter. She stared at Alondra, her chest heaving, c

ed the cup to her l

ds work," Alondra said, her

e ruthless titan within him wanted to snap at the deception, but his desperate need to preserve this fragile family reunion forced his jaw shut. He held his tongue, his knuckles turning white against his thighs. Eleonora, however, quickly interve