Uber ride to the Carlisle estate was a silent, blurry journey through a city that no longer felt like a place o

he demanded, his voice tigh

are of?" she asked, the question h

ah, it's handled," he

forward, enveloping Ava in a cloud of expensive perfume and a hug that was all perfor

exhausted. The flight

Ethan's father, sat at the head of the table, his expression sour, a

t, so he won't be joining us," Beatr

ce once, years ago, over a less-than-perfect report card. He hadn't raised his voice, but his q

eat with a mumbled excuse about traffic. Ava didn't look at him, focusing

snapped. "Do you ever do anyth

to her son's defense. "Damien is a born wo

gravity. Alistair Carlisle emerged from his study, his presence instant

eating," he observed, his voice a low rumble. He signaled t

oked directly at her grandfather, her voice clear and steady.

n eyebrow. "Good.

d, naming the company's heart-an

It's too demanding. That place is a

zing. "A girl like you doesn't need that kind of stress.

ll saw her as a fragile ornament

," Alistair stated calmly, his words cutting through their objections. "Leg

miled. "I think it's a wonderful idea. Ava is a bright young woman. It'

it was a strategic move. She wanted a spy in Damien's camp,

sement in his gaze. He seemed content

ward. She was a pawn, her 3% stake making her just valuable enough to be used in th

n," she said, her gaz

back, we're throwing you a proper welcome party. This weekend." It wasn't a suggestion;

in delight. "A marvelous id

er life, it seemed, was always s

ade. "She will start in Strategic Investme

ike ash in her mouth. She had won her place at the table,