r ear

through the phone so sharply that two assistants acr

t optional

I could almost hear him rubbing his forehead the way h

aid, lowering his voice, "Hartwood

my eyes

be t

And M

es

rate today." T

gered in my h

ngers brushed against the ring on my hand. A small smile almost formed. Daniel's voice echoe

the memory d

id behind me. The makeup ar

the camera if you kee

ot fro

solutel

d against the emerald silk gown hugging my wa

got about collapsing compa

hotographer call

form and rotated slowly

e buzze

e corner. "Please tell me

ave

?" I signaled the photographer.

er reminded me, tapping the planner o

at launch for months. She'd probably a

ther's company was

to her," I said, already s

" my mana

ly have

ribbon ties at the back of the corset. "Wh

red ripping the dress open. But this was a D'Oleur

uld breathe again. My keys were sitting still on

r my mind to start spiraling. Kingsley Holdings didn't normally summon peopl

e something carved out of a dream. It was adorned with the most beautiful flowers I have ever laid my eyes on. The place

ed in front o

opened my doo

owed politely. "They

its bones: high ceilings with intricate crown moldings, heavy oak

d that something was wrong. This wasn't just a normal meeting. My parents were already there. So was little siste

elt heavy with u

ther said quickl

t's going on?"No one

is hands calmly. "You m

a

me briefly. The

r speaks hi

a laugh that soun

Investments, market stability... But halfway through, Jacob K

prepared to secure Har

ward immediately. "T

ontinue

rm partnerships to be secur

. Family

voice smooth and measured. "Our

atulations." I laughed softly but no one

o my chest. I didn't know why-but suddenly, I was thinking a

d about. It made sense, didn't it? He handled the public

houghtful. Then he spoke. "We would like t

ana's fingers curled tightly around the edge of her cha

is throat, breaking

ored by the

ed toward him. "Yo

avoided

calmly, "Which daughte

e she might faint. Then my mother spoke. "

Mom!" She met my eyes calmly. "Please give u

ugh escaped me before I co

ut I was also the adopted one.

d quietly, "this allianc

ore firmly. My fathe

ready e