through the floor-to-ceiling windows of

g; she was waiting for the director to draw up the contract release so she could pay the cance

bove the salon ent

ok up from her

ress shoes approached, accompanied by t

le

ce sounded

r folder and l

essed in a bespoke charcoal Tom

as Hollie Mathis, dressed in a pris

om diamond tulip bracelet flashed conspicuou

tresses froze by the fitting platform,

wn on the armchair across from Alex, c

f on the quarterly SEC filings," Basil decla

ait out in the car, so I brought

f her white skirt, tilting her head

ss Marsh. Mr. McLeod is just

her gaze to Basil. Her expression

salon for your executive suit

reached into his inner jacket pocket, pulled out a navy velvet jewe

thing," Basil said, leaning back with a smug, self-satisfied smi

e velvet box. She

irector hel

out an exasperated sigh, leaned forw

bracelet, paved with brilliant-cut diamond

meant to symbolize their wedding vows, ha

his voice thick w

h have one, and you don't have to act like a jealo

asil's shoulder, barely h

tch, Miss Marsh? It shows how

he sparkling dia

box in his face, or broken down in tears. Alex

ul; he was a narcissist who genuinely believed he could smooth over betraya

ast eight years vanished for good, leav

ece of work, Basil,

folder, and grabbed the velvet box.

past them and pushed through the heavy glass doors of th

ring slightly. Her dead silence unnerved him

he front door of the massive,

felt lik

kitchen, stopping in front of

The tulip diamonds caught the afternoon l

tely calm, Alex tippe

in

ong the discarded coffee grounds and spoiled fruit. She tossed the

ibrated in

n, her senio

ce came through, cri

d the asset-separation waivers are attached. Are you sure about this? O

n-dollar mansion she had helped pay for and bu

"Print the final copies and have them served to his office