vator. They were ushered to the waiting room as she

he waiting room. She looked at James w

d between James and her cousin Maggie. Her father had been urgently whee

ealthy-looking James Watson, trying to keep her cool. For his part, James simply hel

looking doctor in scrubs entered and made a

t expectantly as the docto

verything we can to stabilize him after the major cardiovascular trauma, but...the next 24 hours

finish the implication. The bottom fel

bs, crumpling against James. He swiftly pulled her into h

ck on the chai

k," James murmured, his deep voice radiating stoic reassurance. "Wh

father's life hanging so precariously right now. Over James' sh

Lil...but who

gnored her

mes had excused himself to make some urgent phone calls and arrange

ent stare. "What is going on with that guy? And more importantly, what h

en escapade after catching Ryan's betrayal. Maggie's eyes grew progressively wider throughout the sord

once she'd finished. "I can't decide if that's

r family crisis, Lily managed a wate

billionaire would be treating me like a wife and helicopter

turned serious again as she watched James s

an urgent legal situation requiring your p

es gently cupped her face in his large h

on," he said softly yet insistently. "But we need to present a united front r

oulder a reassuring squeeze before allowing James to

, clearly on standby for a quick getaway. He stared resolutely at the road ahead

ked anxiously once they'd

it to her with a grim look. "See for yourself. They've managed to get an emer

cumented readouts from Chloe's legal team, backed by affidavits alleging everything from fra

as a vengeful scheme. And according to the paperwork,

dismay. "How are we supposed to even prepare w

. He placed his hand atop hers, gently but insistently closing the folde

?" she gave a

s side streets, clearly employing evasive driving maneuvers.

y of an nondescript office park. Just when they had stepped out, a stretch li

stern expression and perfectly coiffed silver hair. Lily felt hersel

you embroiled my family legacy in now

oon to you too, Granny Daphne. We don't have

ing it through the limo's window. "I need you to testify on our behalf at an emergency di

hing one incredulous eyebrow as she scanned its content

ustic amusement. "Well, nothing quite whets my appetite like a vicious society

a grim-faced James exhaling heavily. Lily watched with bew

nest of high society...and by the way, that's my Grandmother". He of

st the grande dames