ut to think. Few days after the gala had been uneventful-filled with clients and her lunch with Claire-but the tension building in the house since that night was impossible to ignore. Different lat

er phone buzzed with a mess

s make it a habit to

: Who

Don't delete thi

sudden interest was unnerving, yet a strange c

es you think I'

not to. And I think you want to. S

w up, what's going to hap

an:

ocked her phone, the messag

y?" Wendy whisp

of voices from her father's study. She'd stepped quietly into the

voice hissed. "Mr Aurelius, You promised

r's response was clearer. "Mr Aurelius, I assure you,

her room before she was caught, her mind racing. Her father's dealings with the Aurelius famil

***

Damian was already there, leaning back in hi

te that," he said, mo

ms, standing. "Why

ect. I like that. You don't wan

ave much time to spare. You're

to the seat again. "Sit. Th

ly, she s

oves he can't control. And whether you realize it or not, you

of w

"I am sure you'd eventually find out, but by then it might be too late. I l

If you're trying to scar

you. Stop digging into things you don't understan

d at the screen and stood. "We'll finish this convers

apped as he walked away, leaving h

phone clutched tightly in his hand. Clarissa sat on the couch,

voice sharp. "This can't cont

ack, his voice cracking. "You think I want

nto the room. "

pression softening slight

she said, her voice firm.

rm. "We should tell her, Robert. She's smart

s head. "No. She do

t?" Wendy

his tone heavy with exha

her. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But don't expect m

ies. Whatever her father was hiding, it was bigger than she'd imagi