enter the main

e better than the

ich floorbo

doors didn't

ervants' corridor, her bo

stairs, taking t

r ribs, a frantic rhythm that matc

the second-f

ows of the balcony, peer

ll was fille

n tux

s that cost m

fake smiles an

scanned

er

dia, was draped in

arm of a man Emilee re

Ster

was a notor

rofusely, rubbing his greasy hands to

hree wives, and none of them

ought out, they were muti

barely legal girls and was known f

mother, had already known what happened with Mr. H

he had escaped fr

ing his investments and threatening to freeze their supply chains, pushing

ydia had hastily arranged this second deal, offering Emilee to

corner, Emilee had no ch

slightly with a pathetic, fawning smile. "She is

Mr. Sterling more wine. "Oh yes, Mr. Sterling. We have kept

s darting around nervously. "Shy is good.

stomach

e in her

sold her off like a commodity

ce of Pierce Global, Carlisle sat

n sprawled out behind him,

a tablet in

er of Gavin O'Neill; he is the struggling CEO of O'Neill Co

ooked at t

photo stare

hoto was breathta

a pure, untouched elegance, looking completely dif

retty face, surpri

r continued. "Selective mutism followin

pped the sc

out of the public eye. Rumor h

e people don't negotiate milli

1 bankruptcy," Archer added. "They need cash. Thi

eyes darkening, "she is

d the terror

e checked

er asked. "I can have the

us. If she is a gold digger, I want to know who put her up to it." He turned back to Archer. "Keep the

Emilee pulled her p

e had coded herself

he house's Blueto

er a monster like Mr. Sterling, Emilee finally wal

was tapping a spoo

om wen

dripping with artificial sweetness. "Please welcome

ed to the gra

as exposed, E

d out of t

't weari

simple black tur

was scrub

loose around

ooked

e

to descend

were slow,

g's jaw

his champ

marble floor, but

e lookin

eup, without the hood

ty was h

hat made people uncomfortab

ner, turned a shade of red

e glass until her k

s eyes

dolla

ecovere

ttom of the stairs,

ou look unique. Come, sa

d for Emil

sides

abbed em

d, her smil

walked

straight up

d of sweat and

reaching out a han

wheezed. "Wort

didn't

ared a

were co

d her pho

-splitting screech erupted fr

overed t

ttled on t

ed, clutching his h

e was de

a sonic

enter of it, calm, silent