p to the curb outside Joanna

ead down, rushing through the lobby and into her private elevator. When the doors fi

d threw her keys onto the consol

sent forty t

you

ted Jessie

e phone,

ith absolute disgust. She didn't reply. She deleted

ck, leather-bound folder-the Madden family trust fund prenuptial agreeme

e hit with a massive penalty fee. She needed Freddie to be the one to brea

the intercom inter

door a moment later. Clara's face was pale, her hands

t a car. It's waiting downstairs. She wants

rue power behind the family name. The pool i

inutes," Joann

e the fabric had touched her. She put on a conservative, tailored beige suit. She sat at her vani

per nightmare of late-afternoon Manhattan traffic, the car passed

e sprawling mansion, leading her to Eleanor's

was pulled back perfectly. Her eyes, sharp as a hawk's,

er head slightly, letting her shoulde

her voice perfectly pitched

ey scattered over the wood. They were high-definition shots of

" Eleanor demanded, her

she tasted a faint hint of metallic blood. She let a single tear well u

ipped. I pulled Miss Beck down with me. Freddie was just... he wa

ool with me, Joanna. I know exactly what

m willing to issue a public apology, Grandmother. I will take full responsibi

m went

oyalty to the empire. Joanna's willingness to swallow her pride and take the blame for the

softened slightly. She gestured to the

ng her posture ri

bag," Eleanor said coldly. "But we do need

nna said, looking Eleanor straight in th

ressed the intercom button on her

ive secretary en

r contacts at the studios. Cut Jessie Beck from every audition list in Hollywood. Put

forced her eyes to widen in fake shock. "G

silence her. "He needs to learn that his action

pulled out a long velvet box

uble today,"

ique emerald necklace rested on the

ndmother," Joan

The moment the heavy oak doors clicked shut behind her, t

was complete. She had kept her hands perfectly clean, a