- The Mor

, but its effects lingered li

he steaming cup of coffee in front of her. Across from her, her father, Richard M

ke. "You did we

led slowl

didn't let anyone see how much this bothers you." He studied her fo

er cheek. "And if I don'

hardened. "That'

in her chest, but she swallowed it

through the house. The butler answered, revealing a suited man

voice as professional as ever. "Mr

ed a brow

your presence at the Sinc

mach ti

engagement had been publicly a

blic appearanc

wn and stood. "I'll be

– Breakfast wi

oors gleamed under the morning sun, and the scent of fresh

her heels clicking agai

air, Eric's parents. Across from them sat Eric himself,

r greeted with a coo

ing herself into t

good." He folded his hands on the table. "Now, we need to keep that momentum. You an

surprised. "I e

was truly fit to bear the Sinclair name. "We'll have a designer

polite smile

ilent, his focu

xpect you to behave accordingly. No unnecessary

the subtle warnin

strac

Sar

ened, but he nod

irs thought a single event would make the world believ

ould play

could keep his heart elsewher

hanged at the dining table carried an unspoken weight, and Zoey could f

ove or personal happiness-they cared about power, control, and reputatio

sat beside her, his fingers drumming against the ed

itted for your dress before this evening's gala. The press wil

polite smile.

o something that might ha

ed. She was too aware of Eric's presence beside her-the same man

h of

nly he could hear. "Are you planning to sulk the entire

t her, his blue eyes flickering with

brow. "Could

was gone in an instant. "Just do what yo

Are you planning to keep playin

pression

hand curled into a fi

gain. "Eric, Zoey, I expect you both to arrive at the ga

aze and nodded. "Of

s nose before finally m

ernoon – Zoey'

sive fabrics. The designer's assistants fussed over Zoey

ulder silver creation that clung to her curves, shimmering w

of the dress, she felt l

designer announced, stepp

arely

ach for her phone, the door

-and there

ame, dressed in his usual dark attire

morning, she saw something fli

one in a

he said smoothly, s

"Is that your way of

"Take it how

't ignore the way his gaze lingered

e tension. "Mr. Sinclair, your tu

stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Tonight, we pl

her head.

tened. "She won

for a moment befo

asn't just going to pl

world-and Sarah-knew that she w