ke water over her skin. Flanked by two massive bodyguards,

ood. She rushed forward, reaching out to Genevieve. "Geneviev

raight past Brigette, her shoulder brushin

twisted into a mask of utter humiliation. A few people

ee. The icy mask on Genevieve's face melted

room, Genevieve threw her arms open and pu

vieve's shoulder. "You took your time," Carlee w

rowd and snapped her fingers at the sound technician in the

a microphone

h the speakers. "I want to formally introduce someone.

the top graduate of Central Saint Martins, and one of

-hitting jewelry executives in the room suddenly leaned in, th

s impossible!" she shrieked, her voice cr

so cold it could freeze blood

ng 3D rendering of a diamond necklace appeared. The cut was impossibly

announced. "And it was designed by the woman standi

ad been mocking Carlee five minutes ago now surged forwar

hey drew blood. She stumbled backward, retreating i

ady. She thanked Genevieve and formally anno

rtment stores boxed her in, shoving their business cards

as glowing, surrounded by people begging for her attenti

typed a rapid message to Denzel: Buy t

r Nirvana exploded immediately, the price sky

in a bidding war, the auctioneer pressed

. "We have a telephone bid from a private buy

a roaring fire of euphoria in her chest. Whoever this mysterious buyer was, they had just handed her the ultimate key to freedom, fully funding her studio for the next two years in a single, god-like stroke. Was it pure admiration for her art, or something d

ion and the buzz of three glasses of champagne hit Carlee's br

shiver. She walked down the curved driveway toward th

She rubbed her arms, l

und garage. A silver Aston Martin rolled up the

window ro

e wheel, his dark ey