ding, checking his Rolex. Twenty minutes

itl

ed him from th

pushed open the kitchen door. The copp

room. The heavy pocket doors were closed. When he slid them

ders. On top of a charred leather book spine sat Caitlin

gether. He pulled out his p

ve dialed is curr

he diamond ring into his pocket. "Let's see how many days

ere already pinging his private terminal. He had precisely fifteen minutes to review

ack toward him, uncap

abs. He signed his name with rapid, practiced strokes. When he turned past the dense balan

verseas subsidiaries, he flipped directly to the execution block

ent authorization sheets into the high-speed desk scanner,

k-including the five-page divorce decree nestled inside-into a heavy blue leather p

the inter

the blue folder on my desk. Corporate legal will send a courier to collect

utside the study, she glanced at the blue folder through the half-open door, remember

d his coat, eager to clear his he

lroom in Midtown Manhattan, the annual St. Jude's

ck crepe gown that Chloe had selected. Her dark hair was pinned up in a

ed. For six years, the reclusive Mrs. Owen had r

ispered nearby. "Didn't someone say she wa

of sparkling water,

se, tapping the glo

ench pedal harp, 'Voice of the Wind.' It

rument. It was the exact model her late mentor, Maestro Carlisle, h

on Instagram about acquiring an antiqu

e buzzed in her evening clutch. It was an

Dovie sitting in the corner of a private Upper East S

classmate during recess today. We have been trying to reach Mr. Owen

t the image of t

orf gala-how happily the girl had held Antonia's dr

s moved swiftly

. I am no longer her legal guardian and

"Do Not Disturb" and sli

o a halt at the curb. He slammed the car door and stormed thr

d in her office, hold

We couldn't get in touch with Ms. Eri

anded, his voice echoing in the reception area

turning her phone

hat she is now the c

, his grip tightening o

uard

f the headmistress's desk,

issed through clenched teeth. "Pack Dovie's things. Tak