house better than the people who owned it. She knew which flo

back stairs, taking them two at a time. Her heart was hammering against her ribs, a frant

. The Great Hall was filled with people. Men in tuxedos. Women in gowns

as draped in emerald green silk. She was clinging to the a

ad looked into his private life earlier. It was rumored that Sterling had three previous wives, and none of them survived their wedding night. When their bodies

ely handing her over to this monster just to save a failing company. Pus

tly with a pathetic, fawning smile, treating Sterling like a

d Sterling more wine. "Oh yes, Mr. Sterling. We have kept he

s darting around nervously. "Shy is good.

e selling her. Not metaphorically. Literally. They were tra

his massive mahogany desk. The city lights of Manhattan sprawled out behin

ghter of Gavin Oneill, the struggling CEO of Oneill Cor

eautiful. She had delicate, flawless features that radiated a pure, untouched elegance, looking completely diffe

r continued. "Selective mutism followin

pped the sc

out of the public eye. Rumor h

e people don't negotiate milli

1 bankruptcy," Archer added. "They need cash. Th

s looking for protection." He remembered the te

er asked. "I can have the

us. If she is a gold digger, I want to know who put her up to it." He turned back to Archer. "Keep the

he was sixteen. It connected to the house's Bluetooth sound system. Realizing that a ridiculous disguise w

went quiet. "Ladies and gentlemen," Lydia announced, her voice dripping with artif

gown. She was wearing a simple black turtleneck and jeans. Her face was scrubbed clean. Her hair hung loose

without the hood, she was breathtaking. Her beauty was haunting. It was the kind of beauty that made people uncomfortable because it felt too raw. Harper, standing i

ling!" she cried. "You look unique. Come, say hello to Mr. Sterling." She reached for Emil

melled of sweat and expensive musk. He leered at her, reaching out a

upted from every speaker in the room. SCREEEEEEEEECH. Guests covered their ears. Glasses rattled on the tables. Sterling recoiled, clutching his h