Pierre. She didn't have a credit card. Instead

she said. "In

the canvas bag. But when she saw the payment go thro

urse,

viding a name that was bo

It was luxurious, filled with cream-colored furniture and fr

floor and set up the lap

tantly building a firewall around her con

e Finch Family d

ty Gala Strategy Dinner

ain. The voicemail had confirmed it. He needed

, her mother, sitting in the garden, staring at nothing.

anted a small trust but no real power or stake in the main family empire. Franklin had sp

ided. The guilt of the 'Elease' persona wa

t as a victim. Not as the scarr

d leggings were functional, but they were not armor

ded war

al card on her phone, spoofing the credentia

er phone and

he doorman ha

dman," she to

at the Finch Estate, t

living room, a glass of whiske

"If Kason pulls the funding, we

sofa, trembling. She held a

Franklin," Isolde whispered

and "partner," sat on the opposite sofa. She

era said, her voice dripping with fake s

ughed from the doorway. She w

must be for her. Kason has finally come to his senses. I just hope poor Elease h

nklin's pacing gait in her mind's eye, recognizing the agitation of a narcissist who had lost his primary asset. She replayed Alvera's calm posture, the classic overcom

plan. Step 1: Psy

store. The doorman hesitated when he

projected an air of absolute authority that made h

l and smelled of expens

for the VIP sectio

r the evening wear, she hea

stop

owns were three women. Fannye, and

kless silver thing that would look

ng this," Sloane giggled, h

This was better th

em from behind, s