Rise of the Scorned Heiress

ng her skin crawl. She knew all too well the kind of man Sean Blackwood w

a polite smile, masking the tur

that I appreciate your sacrifice. You truly are a gem among women. After 3

ust at the thought of being married or sleeping with such a despicable man. She kn

ser, she could smell his overwhelming cologne now. Was that Pier monde? His breath was hot against h

ness. She had no power, valueless shares, no allies, only her name a

Sean Blackwood," Nora plastered a big smile,

rge of disgust rise within her. A sense of loathing for the man who now held her fate

. This atmosphere was

cided to cooperate with her stepmother. I hope you're planning on behaving yours

she said with a tight smile, p

beca

u've done to me. You may hold the reins for now, but I

. "One minute as a billionaire's bride and you a

er surprise, Nora grabbed her hand and shov

yourself

uggling to comprehend this newfound bravery. T

he needed to reasser

planned for herself. A little threat would do her some good, "Mark my words, Nora Sterling-you may think you're clever, bu

rol over me. I will not be doing any chores for you or answering to you and as lon

ted her

chelors in the world thanks to me when all you are good for is bein

ised how much I have planned for my life, this company.....and you. Hav

pounding in anger building. After all the effort she put into raisin

*

of expensive wedding gowns to pick up a pair that had been sent to h

netting, and iron bars. Her room was in the

he fact that for the first time in decades, despite her crippli

by crippling anxiety now. The wedding gowns on her bed reminded Nora of what she'd gotten herself into. She longed for someone to sha

n her shoulders. As she lay down on her bed, sleep quickly overtook her, pullin

ra awoke to find

room and persi

s Phillip!

away. I have a wed

r echoed beh

d guy. Good for you huh? I came to see if, by some mirac

She decided to ignore him. After long seconds

This evening–like it or not,

be trapped in a loveless marriage, she might as well seize the opportu

rk contrast to her pale complexion. She drew on black eyeshadow across her lids. Nora dug into her mother's already shabby designer box for a dre

she heard Phillip start up his sport

els and left the estate t

nd catcalled from the sidewalk as they passed,

cing the freedom to make her own choices, no matter how reckless t

om the stifling heat of the Los Angeles night. As the taxi pulled away from the curb, sh

sheepish grin spreading across his weathered face. "You're a r

ment. She was stepping into unknown territory, into a place she'd never been. But for the first time in a l

he best pla

ng' to esc

ker, the

you're doing because I

rfe

sive club, one popularly frequented by the rich, she

ad never considered herself particularly feminine, not with the way her stepmother had kept her busy with menial tasks and endless chores like a modern-day Cinderella. But toni

t to savor the sweet, fruity flavor. It was a small indulgence,

t of bliss wa