e a stark contrast to the rich mahogany conference table. Three days had passed since James St. James Sr.'s funeral, a

sions that didn't quite reach their calculating eyes. They'd been circling like sharks since the mom

ans and a charcoal button-down that somehow managed to look both casual and expensive. H

the silver-haired attorney who had served Jame

lio. She already knew most of what would be in the will-James Sr. had involved her in nearly every asp

gton said, adjusting his reading glasses. "Jame

er, then Harrington's pre

controlling interest in James Industries,

circled the room. Jamie's jaw

y shall transfer to my son only after a period of six months, during which

his was new. James Sr. hadn

will serve as interim CEO, but major deci

cracked. "What the h

y, "that your father wanted to ensur

nt babysit me?" Jamie'

rrected. "Ms. Knox has been effectively running day-to-day op

aware of this stipulation. I've been planning to tend

narrowed. "

en accepted to a graduate program in architecture. I

. "So you've been what-drawing little build

heat rise to her cheeks but kept her voice steady. "Y

ient," Jami

, I leave my Manhattan penthouse apartment at 180 Riverside Drive

ible. Harper felt the weight

voice was tight with barely con

," Harrington supplied. "Additionally, James left Ms. Knox a per

d floor. "So my father's glorified secretary gets an apartment worth twenty mil

. James that I decline the conditions. I'll stay through the end of the mont

said, stepping toward her

t mine," Harper countered. "I'm an emp

hould Ms. Knox decline to fulfill the six-month transition period, the controlling shares will be placed in a trust managed by the board

hat followed

nto Harper's. "You pl

plied, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "Your fa

, a thin smile on his lips. "Will you honor James Sr.'s

ad underestimated her for five years, then at Jamie, who

e said finally.

sides. "Fine. Six months. St

m-colored envelope. "He wrote this in his final week," the lawyer

ng at it. She couldn't bear to read James Sr.'s words just y

efore her like an endless desert. Six months before she could finally pursue the dream she'd put on hold for

n who clearly believed she had mani

ermined rhythm on the marble floor. She had survived foster care. She had

survive hi