still tingled where he'd held her waist-her coat co

tant Kip Downs, who st

am said flatly. "You lo

Allison Montgomery. Your nephew'

she is." Adam's vo

tracked her career, every victory. He'd also watched his spo

anym

ered. "I want every detail-where she

she's still technica

fired off a text to his security team, then strod

"What about the Japan

hedul

ght companies, crushed rivals, and intimidated entire boardrooms-bu

amiliar, and

-

's sliding doors. New York's frigid

eat. She was not in a condition to drive at that moment-she

d onto Van Wyc

he skipped the audio, only watching the silent proof of her shattered enga

an unbreakable shield around her heart. She

uin the

mansion's towering iron gates. Allison paid the

She shoved open the heavy oak front doors. Li

ross marble as she rounded

eet Journal. His wife Katharine sipped tea from fine porcelain. Ch

ce blanched; his whiskey glass

stering on the overbright fake s

ushed forward

neatly aside,

y air, and fixed her with wide, fei

ee table, the crack echoing through the room. "How

lected the video, and AirDropped it to the huge fireplace TV. Maxed-ou

'm better

. God, y

rs and moans bounced of

her fingers to shatter across a priceless P

te, his hands shaking violently. "Allison, wa

arsed sobs, hands buried in her face. "He forced me, Al

eat slow and steady. She'd expected Baker-her mother's brother, the man w

le rage on his face. He pointed

ity show?" he roared, spit spraying the table. "You have no de

at Allison. "This is your fault. Your cold, arrogant distance pu

g into the blame. "Katharine's right. You were always walled off. I cr

tears streaking her cheeks. "I never meant

addressed the room coldly. "To avoid a public scandal,

hollow laugh. "You expe

fers to Cheyanne. They're clearly a better match. The board relies

nt. "Step aside for your sister's happiness.

t Allison with something resembling pity. "I'm sorry it ended this wa

iancé. Four people united to rewrite the truth and paint her as the

swallowing every slight and heartache vanished in an

nodded slowly, a calm, frigid smile tug

s, disloyal, and utterly worthless - and I want nothing to do with him. Since my sister has such

oom. Cheyanne stared at he

another word and walk