ng alone in the corridor. In the car, the adrenaline faded, replaced by

picture in the scarlet dress, with headlines screaming about her "Billion-Dollar Gamble." T

lawyer's inbox from Sotheby's, requesting the settlement of the re

inclair trust-two hundred million-for the depos

ould be an admission of defeat, handing him

ew York. Who had that kind of capital? And wh

rfaced. Kia

ire of private security and gray-market enterprises. Kian, as the new head, was reported

ket to legitimacy. And his bidding war with her tonight prove

she told the driver. "Ste

. Eleanor bypassed the receptionist and pushed through to Kian's priv

feet. "Whoa, how d

her eyes on Kian. S

she said, her voice steady. "

hiskey. "Are you kidd

ir, steepling his fingers, his dark eyes studying her wi

," Kian said, his

taking her eyes off Kian. "Mr. Sterling's participation o

didn't change. "A loan of that size requires signif

ing to move Sterling family assets into

at up straighter, his eyes turning

know that?" F

h I guarantee will be worth billions. Or," she paused, letting the weight of her next words sink in, "I

vered with the calm demeano

mailing us!"

for the first time, she saw a flicker of something new in hi