bedroom. Evert glared down at Clarine, looking a

mily," Evert sneered, adjusting his cuffs with sh

ted for her to fall to her knees,

ding pain to force her features into stillness. She reached for the collar of her sweater and adjusted it with stiff, deliberate mov

ped closer, his shadow looming over her. "Without my money, you won't

his, cold and unblinking. "This was a tra

al slap to his face. Evert's hand shot out. He grabbe

th hot against her face. "My lawyers will make

stood up, walked to the walk-in closet, and picked up a small, velvet b

d dropped the box stra

ut the anger quickly swallowed it. He sneered, tu

ne sat in a quiet, diml

stared at the faint bruises peeking above Clarine's collar. Her cof

Faye gasped,

ye everything. The drugged wine, the dark room, the

blind, arrogant bastard! We are going to t

wns the police. They will bury it, and they wi

ashes and loud cheering eru

llery was hosting its grand opening. Cherie stood on the red carpet, w

ut. He looked immaculate in a tailored suit. In his ha

avorite

bouquet. He smiled at her-a soft, genuin

the street. The final, invisibl

and downed it in one gulp. The bit

your laptop," C

her encrypted lapt

ndard browsers, routing her connection through three d

account she hadn't touc

n fashion houses, desperate offers from venture capitalists, all beggin

from the CEO of Dreamscape Atelier, her

ng in absolute shock as she saw t

She typed a single sent

board Lan

screen illuminated the sharp

t Faye. "I'm not just getting a di