hina'

eiling windows that morning, yet none of its warm

d on the leather sofa and kept my eye

rything was

r more than a document. It openly defied a s

ked up my cold coffee and spoke without emotion. "Then notify every major news outlet and release the

Ms. Harper, are you certain you've thought this through? The moment this becomes p

instructed with

der. Brayden had already destroyed every

I stood and made my wa

he opened the door for me, worry touched her ex

e car came to a stop outside a pri

been laid to rest there, su

my arms, I made my way toward the cemeter

s, and every honor he had received during

d nothing except a name because no b

ve belonged t

ving a single trace during an o

ehind was that cold, vacant grave and a nig

es and set the white lilies at its base. My fingerti

ou so much," I sai

eary sigh. "Starting today, I won't let this so-called mating bond control me anym

ncover the truth about Dad's sudden death, and I'll find whatever clues remain about yo

ch in silence and stayed cl

e look at the screen sent the blood rushing to her

I got to my feet and brus

g the phone into my hand. "Read this. Tha

Future Luna Layla Targeted in Terrorist Attack! Her Necklace

outing in fury as countless

s while he vowed to tear apart the

ide with thick gauze covering half her fa

rom attending tomorrow's Moonlight Cup Emerging Jewelry Designer Award Ceremony. He

ter laugh escaped me, and

ose sketches came from the notebook you filled three years ago! Stealing your man wasn't enough for Layla, so now she's claimin

ou don't need to worry. The Guild's finest technicians crafted that fake necklace. Brayd

ed protector on the screen. Whatever tiny

es that they're the ones who were wronged. Their pride will be their downfall. If I reveal she stole my design now, she'll get away too easi

past I had locked away for

ng design legend with unmatched talent. My creations had won nearly every major

im build a stronger pack. Instead of holding a pen, I devoted

pended on him to live. He never realized that I had once shaped the

urned toward Elianna and gave her our

at bank. Their admission rules are incredibly strict, and they guard their client

jected as a slight smile touched my lips. "If I'm g

and finally replied, "Please don't force yourself b

though I offered

ed outside an old building that looked mo

ger had been waiting f

a deep bow. Even his voice shook with respect as he said, "Ms. Harper, you'

a's face. She hadn't imagined that I

curity systems and fingerprint scanners until

d witnessed plenty of impressive sights, bu

the rows of display shelves

its own striking beauty. Together, they formed the final collection created by Saph

ind. During the three years you were away, we licensed some of the non-archival design rights under our

saw the long number displayed across

d her eyes as disbelief weakened her voice.

e the estimated value of the archived pieces is included, Ms. Harper