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e stale air. Sweat dampened the back of her neck, making her blonde hair stick to her skin. She closed her eyes, f
floor. She handed Eloise a bo
"You've been running this scene for fo
ly as she unscrewed the cap. Before she could take
dly against the floorboards. Her face was flus
"Julian Finch just agreed to give you a five-minute slot tomorrow morning.
r the wood. She covered her mouth with both hands. Her eyes burned with sudden heat. T
f the room, a pho
e excitement in the room like a physical blow. Eloise lowered
on the bench. The screen li
it to her ear. "Mom, I can't tal
pped through the speaker. It was cold. A
Julian Finch is letting me
voice was flat, devoid of any emotion. "Christian Clarke flew back into the city this
dug into the plastic case. The name Christian Clarke hit her ears, and all
oser, her brow furrowing. "
Her throat felt like sa
air and practically ran toward the exit. Clara called out her name, but El
it into her cheeks as she stepped onto the sidewalk. A black Lincoln Nav
The door clicked shut, sealing her
ne Chanel suit. She didn't say hello. Inste
evieve ordered. "You
g this? You know what he thinks of me. You know what h
er fifteen percent at the closing bell. The bank is taki
d out the tinted window. The blurred lights of Manhattan sped by, b
hick financial report. She tossed it onto Eloise's lap. The
ing its icy edge. "If we lose the company, we lose his premium care. A hundred ye
hook as she picked up the lipstick. She uncapped it and dragged the red color across her pale lips, stari
a three-Michelin-star restaurant near Central Par
gh heels wobbled slightly on the pavement. She
of expensive truffles and aged wine. Low jazz played from hidden speakers. The hostess led
ushed open a
ng her shiver. The lighting in the room was terrible, ju
stom-tailored black suit. He was slowly turning a
opening, he stopped mov
e. They were the color of a fro
ian Clarke still carried that same suffocating, heav
right, desperate smile. She grabbed
o see you," Genevieve said, her
even look at Genevieve. His gaze rema
link of crystal against wood echoed in the quiet room. The co
le that vibrated in Eloise's chest. "What exactly
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