pte

lian? Which Julian, Father?" His k

solutely hated. A spoiled, arrogant jerk with a bad reputation for being wild and a ru

d, her voice full of disgus

t Thorne, is one of our most important partners. If our families joined together, tha

can't be serious. That guy is a disgrace. He's disrespectful, h

settle down once he's married. And his father has so much pow

to chain her to some loser just to make a business deal? After you just told me I wasn't

ramatic, Mia. Julian comes from a powerful fam

you and your money? What a

and the future of this family," Samuel said firmly, not wanting to

acing her with Ethan; he was trying to control everything about her life, eve

hated? He wanted to tell her what to do with her life? Then she would take

e wants to do now but, s

t be able to manip

fe, he

ulian " she spat with all the anger she's been holding all

.

y her knuckles turned white. Her father's words still ran

ared with the finality of a dictator's ed

uppet, a man who would fold under her father's thumb. The idea of chaining herself to h

of spending the night in that

he illegitimate child who had s

eel so tightly her hands ached, her breath quick and uneven. She had no destination in mind, she just needed to move. But when the towering silh

faced the imposing barriers of her father's most powerful rival, the weight of her decision hit her. This was reckless, seeking o

ons. She stated her name, fully expecting rejection, but after tense exchang

understated luxury. A sharply dressed man led her to an elevator, the ride up eerily silent. Mia'

g windows framed the glittering city below, while a single mahogany desk commanded attention at

inally spoke. "Miss Meyers," he said, his voice smooth but edged with steel. "To what do I owe

for pleasantries, Mr. Sterling," she said, her voice st

le face. "Then do tell," he replied, leaning back sli

ft her mouth before she could second-guess them. Her hands trembled s