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
te. She had spent three years swallowing these insults, forcing poli
t might revolutionize quantum entanglement theory. But please, don't let me bore you with details. I know complex ideas can be... challenging
Marion's face flushed an ugly, mottled red
ssive carved wooden doors of the
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
in her chest weeks ago was dead. He hadn't defended her-he had defende
ead up, parting
yes m
was no affection, no protective wa
, his lips brushi
e whispered, his tone sharp enough to draw blood.
n the eye. "Then perhaps you should spend less time playing guard dog for your brother'
or one heartbeat, she saw shock-genuine, unfiltered
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
ina. "Emery is so thoughtful, isn't he? He always takes such good care of his... fami
red. "Oh, I do. He's be
g it?" Francesca asked, he
tably. Catalina's eyes went wide with innocent confusio
esca said smoothly
d and walked away, her spine straight, le
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