ula Hotel's presidential suite, the Manhattan skyl

al-gray pantsuit that accentuated her lean, commanding silhoue

ptop balanced on his knees. He had already pulled up a security map of

floor," Toby reported without looking up. "The K

resso from the glass table, taking a

arment bag sealed in sterile plastic. "Your surgical ki

egend during her years in Zurich-a name Christopher

nt from the Johnson family?" Clair

ls, leveraged your mother's medical patents to secure a massive credit line fro

ing contracts for three of Catharine's most valuable patents. If Claire saved the Kensington infant, she could se

. "Let him gorge himself. Every dime he swallows

pad, thrusting a colorful wax c

oy from the airport! Tob

little boys were drawn in yellow an

g. Her fingers clenched so hard arou

is dark eyes sharp with startling intelligence. "Mommy,

She sank to one knee before both c

you, the truth will co

stigation you ordered is already underway. Leo's public birth certificate names Charlie Castro as hi

every paternity or custody filing connected to the Bentley family from that year. I want

t report by morning

case from the console. "Arabella Kensington is crashing ahead of a

collar of Claire's suit jacket. "Be care

ith Rain," Claire said, slipping on her da

y double doors, walking into the di

l. The digital indicator showed the private ca

It was 7:45 PM; twenty-five minutes

heavy leather soles echoed across the stone floor, acco

cent preferred equity buyout proposal for S

truck Claire's ears like the

tantly. She would recognize

i

ted, spilling white li

inside, desperate to avoid the m

re rounded the marble corner, holding

brought them directly o

her peripheral vision and attempte

the deep plush runner, her bala

g speed. A large, steel-strong

the curve of Claire's shoulder, hauling her

and chilled snow crash

ze slamming straight into a pai