ery

t smelled like fresh paint and freedom, not like

to start organizing my por

don Jewelry Design Competition." The subjec

t. My fingers trembled

selected as a finalist. I was officially

ious competitions in the world.

umped up from my chair, the pent-up mise

ght away. I made it through!

rimming with elation: I knew you'd

phone rang. An

still smil

oice was apologetic and awkward. "I'm calling about the designer meet-and-

placed by a sudden, sickening

m Stone Holdings just t

I sneered and retorted, "T

se on the other end. "A

ge. It was swi

s; he was erasing my name, steali

tight the plastic creaked. I had been pre

d not let

of fury. I was going to Stone Holdi

ed into the gleaming lobby of Stone Holdings Tow

e had greeted me with respectfu

in front of the office door like a stone w

go in without an appointment." He

know this is important," I sa

recited, his eyes empty. "He gave

ound him. He moved

ndoff when the heavy office do

ught. It had

it w

essed in a sharp power suit, a tri

imply given her opportunities. He had brought her into the sp

quiet, hum

"this is why I couldn

ed, pleased that I ha

," she said, smoothing an imaginary wrinkle from her

, every glance designed t

, something sharp

it wa

Jagger had chosen, then

my eyes

n a while

w once-over befo

things nev

frow

is that supp

ile touche

roud of taking what's lef

anger cross

antly, lifting one should

ld be. But don't worry. If you ever need anything appro

a sof

her eyes, my smile calm and unwavering.

"Thanking m

ked a

e he

She leaned in just enough for me

really is." I smiled. "And for taki

ou

ushed crims

rs to the private execu

rderous glare befo

se, she sneered, "You're nothing b

t the slightest

who the rea