orway of the estate when Frederick's voice, sha

r in three long strides, blocking her exit once more. In h

ce pa

wanted," he said, thrusting the papers at

mand into his dismissal. He wanted to be the one

iumphant, predatory light. This was it.

tching the climax of the most spectacular

her previous life, he had waved this same document in her face countless times, a

y took the papers an

flipped directly to the last page

swift, angry slash o

rick was left speechless. The litany of cruel, cu

ed it? Just

st. Her touch was impersonal, like a clerk returning a rece

hand frozen midair wher

wasn't f

towards the small stage where the master of ceremonies had been speaking earlier. She pi

so sorry for the disruption to my birthday party. To celebrate

ad washed

her phone and p

e, which had been displaying a tasteful slide

ainy, dark security footage fro

ough-looking men. Her voice, captured by

t make it look good. And remember, you have to ma

ed Ciara handing a thick sta

voice on the recording said. "Don't worry.

ed. The scree

llroom was absolute,

om turned. Every pair of eyes, lik

violently, her lips moving without a sound. "No

as of shock and utter disbelief. The gentle, fragile Ciara he had p

tched the beautiful, intricate trap she had laid spring

in the dead silence. It was the vo

ou have anything

t. Her legs gave out, and she crumpled to the flo

he first shot was fired. It wa

woman on the stage. Her face was cold, impassive, yet illuminated by a terrifying new st