Kirkland estate's main banquet hall
epped into the noisy room alone, wearing a conservative, high
ored suits and glittering d
where to
o finally deci
her stepmother-in-law, marching toward her with a flute
own Francesca's dress. She let out
g guests could hear. "How are those dry, boring numbers doing in your lit
upted into a chorus of syn
er knuckles turned white. She forced the corne
for asking," Francesca said, her voice ste
oser, invading France
hing. She has such an exquisite eye for Renaissance art. She knows exactly how to host a proper Kirkla
's cheeks. The humiliati
, but the massive carved wooden doors
ode into
h him. The chatter near the doors died down in
arge hand wrapping firmly around her wais
mpletely rigid at the su
d onto Marion. They wer
ize a few old paintings to prove her worth," Emery's voice
ed. Faced with the absolute authority of the CEO, she fo
ng whispers c
h spark of gratitude flared in Fra
d up, parting her
yes m
was no affection, no protective wa
, his lips brushi
e whispered, his tone sharp enough to draw blood.
froze, shattering into
He only cared about the pristine
me
c voice floated
clung to her curves, drifted toward them like a butter
d, the hand resting on France
Francesca almost gasped. His fin
mask the pain, watching in horror as th
commodating, and stripped of all its sharp edges. "Are you getting used to th
blow. It felt like a backh
erfect, Emery," Cata
t over Emery's shoulder and locked eyes with Francesca
oat. The hypocrisy of the two men and th
," Frances
twisted her body, breaking free from Emery's ir
s of the women's restroom and loc
as she dragged
rble sink. The woman staring back at her in the m
g water run over her wrists. She splashed the
ection, her eyes harde
him touch her toni
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