easured steps, her mind already turn

ave two crisp claps. Instantly, the quiet was filled wit

filed out from the inner hall, assembling int

flecting years of discipline. She offered a graceful bow before speaking in a warm yet

d her rang out in perfect un

sliding toward Andreas, sile

at exactly is

rrying the weight of authority. "If the Bennett family refuses to

an through her c

t tie with her family. It wouldn't take long before whisper

vulture in their world w

. It was a statement - a bold, deliberate

ripple of unease flickered beneath her composed expression. She was

as calculated - rooted in

rangement did

wn family, Andreas, at least, w

as remarked, his tone cold and final as he adjuste

othly on his heel, alread

atch up with him. "Mr. Reid,

, steady voice brushed against her ear. "No r

's engine as the door shut behind him. Withi

standing at

, already piecing together the

pping forward with a slight bow. "This

toward her. "There's no credit l

a light flicker of amus

hold back when he de

i added softly, her tone warm and steady

ned up, I'll give

the waiting servant, her steps echoing

rmth of rose oil mingling with the soft, sweet scent of

drift shut, letting the heat seep into her skin as her mind w

reborn, she had rea

t had lingered like a shadow, watching Andreas wag

mies, but he'd always treated

placed her

major shifts and had shown Andreas exactly which pos

secure her early release and had plac

a tenfold return

- this one will m

ow murmur, a sly smile tuggi

t family pay, and to force them to watch as

igure just right, and the soft curls framing her face gave her an effortlessly elegant air. Her makeup wa

en admiration. "Miss Bennett,

Vicki. And I need you to do something for

etwork from the ground up. If she wa

she arrived a

arble floors as she stepped through the glass doors of the "LUMOS" flagsh

t kind of style are

word out, a honeyed voice

this dress

d, and she slowly

her lashes as she gestured toward a d

gers through her hair in a practiced, affectionate motion. "Go ahea

rules and the customer. "I'm sorry," she said carefully.

ce dropping a shade colder. "And what's tha

ands fluttering in front of her. "No, of

ion could stret

voice cut through the