ung loosely on my weakened frame. I'd lost at least fifteen pounds since the surgery. Ev

estial Diamond Annual

nition as she guided me past security. "Mr. Davis is running late,

on fingers clamped around m

ing under the chandeliers. "What are you doing here, you wretc

ck, gritting my teeth again

blade. "You diseased little rat. This gathering

that Roberta Alfred was finally making an appearance after s

roken woman whose life she

dragged me closer, her breath hot against my ear. "I'll make you regr

ward onto the cold marble floor. Blood exploded from my wounded p

e as she towered over me. All eyes turned tow

oor woman?" so

ther woman's voice drifted over. "She d

someone else added loudly. "This isn't the

flute from a passing tray. Without warning, golden liquid splas

through my skin. My heart pounde

ity and disgust. Like I was something di

s thundered ac

e

She grabbed another champagne flute, dumped the entire content

tears welling in her eyes. "I didn't mean to

on here?" Leo's voice

floor, and the disgust that twiste

ted Lydia into his arms as

e touch toward her was li

s. "Didn't I tell you to stay in the hospital? Attacking Ly

o speak, but the word

who had once promised he would treat me better than any wo

rength left in me, I p

firm even though everything inside me was

voice was sharp a

her voice full of contempt. Her fingers curled around Leo's ar

asking me not to cause a scene but to let her stay." Her voice trembled as tears

back. "I can prove I'm

thin seconds, I'd called the number. The secr

concerned in her eyes. Leo's expression shi

said. "Tell the

tary confirmed. "Mr. Davis specifically

emotion. Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks as she turned

h indignation. "She didn't pay m

sharp authority. "Please leave.

emperature in the ballroom

ent people into your web

for my phone. "I can call Mr. Davi

round my phone and hurled it against

d into a thousand

dia's smile wa

d inside me. The last thread of

d the house phone near the coat check ar

th shaking hands and dialed

o the phone, "that Roberta Alfred is

the air like a

ent white as

ft without fully understanding it. They didn't know thei