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e space outside the City Hall in
crowd, tiny beads of perspiratio
much so that people found it hard not to stare. Yet her detached, almost distant
ut shirt paired with simple
in the mountains. Never once had she expected that her first
r in when she was an infant. She tilted her head slightly, looking up at the sky. Withou
three in the afternoon. A faint
the man she was meant to m
thoughts. A black Maybach sedan slowly roll
ped out briskly. He moved to the rear of the vehicle and o
d out, even Cathleen found herself sli
his presence commanding, his broad shoulders tapering down to a trim w
sked, his tone cold as t
s and gave a small n
her word, he turned and headed straight for t
rd, Cathleen hurried after
ht scowl, his eyes carrying an unmistakable
in Cathleen. Was he really that e
made Cathleen promise to marry into the Spencer family as a way of repaying that favor. If not for that obligat
spond, Matthew had alrea
Cathleen in excellent condition, so despite Matthew's long s
as it began: documents filled out, sign
atthew emerged from the City Hall
k card. "There's no limit to this card, and it doesn't require a PIN. Use it howeve
not bothering to look back, leaving Cathleen
in the mountains, she had relied almost entirely on cash wheneve
into her backpack, then turned and h
.
irthday cake sat at the center as everyone sang "Happy Birth
hley!" her mother, Suzanne St
ds together, her face
er father, Bruce Stewart, asked, gently
in a light, teasing tone, "Dad, if I
ing to make the trip to that remote mountain area. Instead, they stayed at home, celebrating Ashley's birthday. Though they had recently discove
a gift wrapped in luxury-brand packaging. "It's the bag
diately wrapped her arms around him and said s
full of fondness. "Of course I am. I
race of unease flickered in her eyes. "
nged, and a cold look passed ov
to the butler. "I'm part of the family. C
g the distance between them, and said with irritation, "The family is busy celebrating Miss Stewart's birthday. What
part under his breath, Ca
tled into her eyes a
ks, but something in her eyes unsettled him
ed the area, then stepped forward and pr
throughout the house. Within mo
out angrily. "Wha
plain, and only then did the Stewarts
to speak and even took a step forward, but
while Ashley, positioned between them, didn't bothe
etly. It was obvious to her tha
he casually walked over with her backp
e than a brief nod before turnin
followed
e birthday cake arranged on the table and the decorations cover
tags on the hospital bassinets. Because of that mistake, Ashley had been brought home by the Ste
om the mountains and notice her, Cathle
h and tracked her down a month ago, yet t
that Cathleen marry his grandson, that the
e morning in the mountains, b
been preoccupied with cele
feeling that her parents had long since for
tle warmth for the daughter who was essentially a stranger to him. He walked to the table, took a seat, and
y, the others, who had remained sil
patient. She went on to lavish praise on Matthew while repeatedly elevating Ashley, making it unmistakab
firm tone. "Ashley has always had feelings for Matthew
you," Bruce added. "You've never had any formal educa
ated girl from some backwater. You can't compare to As
shy expression. "Don't say that, Kevan. Matthew isn't someone who looks down on others. Bes
in an even tone, delivered a statement that stun
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