been collected from outside a courthouse in

ned twenty-six, they would marry and travel to e

had likely already married Averie Willis

ey shouldn't cross paths again. She had alre

phone rang, pulling he

Wallace. Leanna dropped the jar into the

in Avlolis, and her probation period was almos

atthew said. "One of our investors, Ms. Willis, will be

replied, giving it li

r parents were struggling financially, and her own living

n medical treatment added to the list, the fina

she had only been informed that evening. There was no alt

other late night

er to try to be

, bitterly. Why was

or the project review, the conference room was already f

vously grabbed Leanna's arm. "Ar

nna replie

own for being ruthless, right? She's extremely demanding. People

ble that someone so young had reached such a powerful positio

ead. "You'll under

two others. One of them was a tall yo

r. "Ms. Willis, these are the team members r

faint smile. "Hello, everyone. I'

t complete

he had overheard people saying that Shane and Averie wou

she had always assum

nna immediately lowered her face, unable

s hand, signaling

cross the room. "Which one o

d engrossed in

nudged her arm lightly. "Ms

d up. A faint tremor crept into her vo

ds left her mouth,

er met Averie and had no i

ck then, Leanna was certain sh

ger Melinda; s

hat thought, but beneath the table, h

the intention isn't very clear to me. If you can explain what those

ect team turned to Leanna, their expecta

hing else out of her mind as she slipp

ponded to each of Averie's questions wi

atmosphere felt optimistic. In high spirits, M

er, couldn't

meant she would inevitably hav

h the end of her probation period, and starting over elsewhere

ded the

let out

had agreed and went with him to a

uilding. "Go ahead and go in first,

one," Leanna said as she ope

center, mostly elderly patients. Le

behind her. "Can I he

nd. When she turned around, it felt

rand-new pens clipped neatly to his chest pocket,