rmed a wall, pushing t

r fake sob, shoved Leland's hands away,

he screaming ballroom behind. The second

eturned to a mask of cold calculation. She grabbed the torn edges of her dre

teps pounded up th

ned to the rhythm. It was Jagger.

ite shirt was stained red. His fa

. He lunged at her, throwing h

he kicked off her right Jimmy Choo

ab. As Jagger stumbled past her, Cora slammed her b

to heel hard against the side of Jagger's neck

s skin. A drop of sweat rolled down his temple. He

idn't yell. She spoke in a

Cora coun

eyes. He saw no hesit

gger whimpered.

back. He scrambled down the hallway and practi

ed barefoot down the hall. She saw a doo

ark, smelling of expensive perfume and hairspray. She sat o

dle of the adjoin

ooms were connected b

ic breathing. The sound of fabric tearing and a w

s. She stood up, re

heard the

My dress," th

m. The man who was supposed to be c

rice," Julian's voice r

Preston's wife. Jagger's mother. The gro

t against the partition w

their affair

heavy. "With everyone's attention on Jagger and that stupi

hispered, her voice tight with anxiety. "He

already paid off the CFO. The trust funds are

widened. T

the silent switch, opened the voice memo app, and hit record. She presse

hed softly, "Leland and the rest of those idio

His voice dropped lower. "

eat. Jagger was Julian's bastard son. This w

inutes. Every word of their financial treason and in

" Julian said. The sound of zipp

e heard the adjoinin

saved the file, and immediately uploade

reflection in the dark mirror. Her dress was ruined, but she h

or and walked out

running his hands through his hair. When he sa

been?" Leland hissed. "

hand on her wrist, then

ress," Cora