ructed from something beyond marble and glass. Something heavy. Secrets, maybe. The oppressi

me but Eden began understanding t

ade her vu

e study. Isabelle was waiting for Eden by sitting on

ning," Ed

ely looked u

on whether you int

eye contact and said "I'll only bother

se she believed that proving h

d emitted a quiet laugh. "

ow as she responded

me accustomed to it even as her

ention-at least partially. She demonstrated brilliance whenever she

asn't ju

an unusual tension that remai

e clear to Eden when Victor Laurent ent

ediate transformation whe

in her pocket as Victor entered. Eden maintained a n

elle greeted h

a nod before his intense st

e rose from her seat and walk

d behind them the tempera

istake my intentions." Victor spoke in a calm yet forceful manner. "My dau

osture straight

minder serves to show you why maintain

n down Ede

the source of t

or k

ing tension between her a

h to speak and Vict

ion," he replied with a smooth tone. "I want to make

eye contact with him. I will not exce

ked any sign of warmth. It would break my h

ke that, he

for a moment while he

er. A part of her felt like laughing

ridicu

The Laurent family's games

anted to d

yet.

d with Eden hadn't e

ut Gabriel wa

was-dangero

-

uring the evening, Eden found her thoughts

just a w

s con

a flawless machine which allo

rated on principles beyond financial gain. They were about power. The

n that caused his father to v

cking at her door brough

door and then let out a sigh w

e doorframe with an ease

r arms. "I've b

ed, "Is that what

ore stepping back and asked,

oom and surveyed her surroundings. "You're n

ened. "Exc

her with an impenetrable lo

ing wouldn't work.

es

le while shaking his head as he

Gabriel, "You showed up at my d

And yet, you

ion grow inside her and she began to say "

without warning wi

had taken on a serious tone

ce before asking,

ilent for a l

uce the space between them unt

in this house, Ed

. "You keep s

e it's

asked him why he cont

d his face which seemed t

't listen," Gab

a moment but Gabriel retreat

ward the door and pausing briefly befor

icked shut

the first moment since her

er decision to arrive at