eyes narrowing as she recog

d every bit the picture of manipula

mile as she positioned herself directly in Ch

hollow. "Still asking questions you already know

aring in her eyes. But she recovered fast, s

out you. How can you t

rie

was here to en

unreadable. "Mrs. Marshall, it's time

erie while addressing Kellan. "I'd love to,

said no

igned hurt. "Chelsey, I knew Vincent was divorcing you today. I was worried you'd be upset, s

y's denial was sharp and absolute. She looked back

composure cracked just slightly as he turned

st beneath the surface as her hair fel

with deliberate smugness, "some creatu

ed her head slightly, a slow, taunting smile spreading across

ht at the sight of th

thetically grateful for any scrap of attention Valerie threw her way. Wh

an's tone was notic

s. "Mr. Fowler," she said, her voice deliberately soft, "it

Chelsey b

ng." Valerie paused, letting the words settle. "The divorce agreement states she forfeits everything. She's no

ou to open it s

some clothes. I didn't take

. "That's not for you to decide, is it? And if y

Valerie tipped the suitcase o

f clothing lay in a me

only a handful of clothes. Still unwilling to let it go, she rifled through

Valerie spent several long mi

elsey looked down at

ice syrupy sweet, "I'm only following V

er, and she had no interest in dragging this out with Valerie. More than anything, she didn't want to be here when

nd headed for the elevator.

the eleva

an icy presence washed over her. It was so sharp and su

s. Then, as her gaze traveled upward,

ecovered first, lowering

p voice thick with restrained rage. "Chelsey. It s

throat, the suffocating pressure, the blackness creeping in at the

lf to hold his g

ere!" He closed the distance between them in t

ere was nowhere left to go. She squeezed her eyes shut fo

in a desperate rush. "I was trying to leave.

ward, cutting her off, eyes g

you lie l

ie to hell. If it weren't for that manipulative brat, she'd have been lo

it

e to-just so she wouldn't walk off with anything that belonged to you." She paused, her voice trembling with manufactured hu

turned murderous. "Ar

with a sickening thud. Chelsey didn't have time to think. Her hands flew up, clawi

choked out, her voice

ess. "Who gave you permission to test m

she pulled, his h

. Marshall, if anything happens to Mrs. Marshall, the board will us

rs, still locked around Chelsey's thr