llroom. It was a space meant for quiet conversations and

ds folded neatly in her lap. On the glass coffee table in front of

. This was going to be

champagne. His expensive tuxedo was slightly disheveled; his bow tie hung loose around his neck. The f

econd. Her nose wrinkled slightly, as if she had just sm

ollar smile, the one that made teenag

d her chin, a micro-movement, gestur

ng his legs, trying to project confidence that was rapidly evaporating.

mpletely devoid of emotion. "Are you sorry y

in his seat. "Blair, come on. Let me exp

the word, letting it hang

ctions-she can get me top-tier fashion campaigns, luxury endorsements. Being linked

orate bow. It was a trick she had taugh

e a movie star. She saw a bad acto

ly, "you're telling m

door was open. "No, no, of course not. I just wan

dden, violent churning in her stomach. It was a visceral, ph

standing directly over him,

ou into an Oscar winner so you could go suck up to a

ach word was razor-sharp,

rting to the floor. "Kiana is a good person," he mumbled defensively. "She'

as a harsh, grating sound,

e smell of Kiana's perfume made her stomach turn again. "You use the fame I gave

silence stretch. "Do y

confused. "A Glo

said, enunciating each syl

ction to the main Glover family a closely guarded secret, a toxic asset she never claimed. Kiana, in her social circles,

iana had never mentioned bei

te contempt. The power dynamic in the room had shifted

hal whisper, "do you still think she's innocent? Do