f the Apex tower, Stella concluded her presentation. The final 3D la

touched his coffee. He had sat back at the head of the mahogany table, fingers laced over his kn

ands unclasped. He leaned forward, rested his

m staye

shed back his chair, an

ing his usually stern features. "Your concept is visiona

ut of the skyscraper into the crisp afternoon air,

claimed, pushing up his wire-rimmed glasses, his

nd Stella in a fierce hug. "

he very downtown lounge where her old life had shatter

champagne. Stella raised her glas

st, a sharp, grating voi

t isn't my runawa

th in a flashy designer dress, her arms

stinctively, forming a prote

few days away from Park Avenue downgrade your taste

el. "We are celebrating a corporate milestone. If you hav

e all about you. He said you were a bore in the bedroom and colder than a block of ice. I'

d in outrage, but before anyone could move, Stella set

tly, a faint, dry curve touching her lips. "

pagne and your little startup, pretending you're too good for this family. You were nothing before m

, her voice perfectly level. "No Carlisle name required. But I wouldn't expect

r own glass of red wine, inte

itating. She caught Isabelle's wrist

glass of champagne with her free hand and systematically pour

, smearing her heavy makeup. Isabelle let out

low, authoritative voice

is e

the table, the lounge manager

, replaced by pale embar

st corporate partners," he stated, his voice carrying a weight that silences the surrounding

exander and Stella, her mind reeling from

od. "Mr. Vance. Thank you. My team an

er. "Ms. Pacheco's bill is on my tab tonight.

ter of the lounge, soaked and humilia

y dialed Julian's private line, but it

ick up!" she hisse

fingers flew across her screen, firing off

pagne all over my head in front of everyone! And she's leaving with Alexa