ext m

t of bed at the

stood in front of the mirror and started on her makeup. Her sk

her mid-twenties, she could easily pass for a co

and headed downstairs to catc

back of her hand. He'd be the firs

new-energy conglomerate headquartered in the heart of the city's financial district

ls-Royce pulled up to the fron

2" of controlled power in a sharply tailored suit. His shoulders were broad, his waist narrow, a

scratch that - even hotter no

steps, ready to greet him

uld take a step-h

Low blo

, and overexerted herself. A wave of dizzine

at stern face of his-and then magically produce a chocolate bar or a protein

o

ak and pale on the building's front step

l have been a

ation - still clinging on. What, w

y think he'd t

expression darken. His lips p

rief flicker of annoyance in the CEO's eyes,

!" the guard barked, waving his hand

to argue. She just nee

twisted in irritation, and he reached down, grabbing her

spun again. Between the dizziness and the m

t-thrown out of Cedric's

ghtened. Her

ow far she

c always

eerleader before their relationship had even officially broken u

t again, this time r

ther hand shot out-strong, elegant, a

r arm gently

up-and locked e

knew

ice trembling, eyes filled with s

lenched

Why did

move on instinct the mo

hen leaned in close, his voice low a

oors of my company,

ile va

color from

he turned and walked away

med in her chest w

bri

are you doing here?! Do you know how crazy you've made your mom? She

ix. Can't I live my own

Monica sighed. "But you disappearing like

er eyes. Then she simply said, "You're not

shook

l, okay?" Monica murmur

*

uld breathe, anot

who finally deci

ead. Sure enough, it was her half-sister Margare

to come back here?!" Margaret's

c wouldn't have grown to loathe the entire Lionhart family. With the Stricklands' influe

t all, strutting back in public? Did she

ere to be

harged after her, voice rising like nails on a cha

he winced, eyebrows tightening. "Marga

with you! You wrecked someone's life and don't even fee

use their family business tanked. To Margaret, C

ma as sharp, warm, and super talented. Not only did she build Gracewell into the only domes

basically grew up o

because of a request from Sabrina-because Sabri

o believe, especially not from the happy-go-lucky, sunshiney Sabrina sh

fused. Hurt someone? Her? No way. She didn'

e something s

ehind her eyes. Her stomach c

a nearby café. She ordered two slices of chee

own when a shadow

sat down across from her and s

I'm from Pama.

t there was no mistaki

arrowed. "You...

vealed her ident

estion. "This isn't a