nora

or-to-ceiling glass overlooked the Chicago River, the walls lined with frame

e-foot banner of Jared Lloyd, hoisting the

the thirty-second floor, sliding a ma

cable resignation," I

sweating through his stiff collar. "Nora... Miss Hester. You can't just walk out in the middle of the pre-season.

firm this morning," I replied, my arms crossed. "My contract states clearly that I am an independent strategic contrac

his tone turning sour. "He's threatening to sue you for tra

awyers," I smiled coldly.

ive suite, carrying a single cardboard box conta

a! W

reated me like a ghost, sprinted down the corridor, her high heels clicking frantically

lder to make sure the hallway was empty. She thrust a thick,

ifting my box

d sign off on it an hour ago. Nora... they inserted an indemnification rider. Christy's gallery took out a two-million-dollar speculative loan for European art acquisiti

iliate me; she was attempting to loot the foundational assets of my father's es

g the VIP reception. The notary and the bank representatives will be there. If you don't ph

the file,

of my bag. "Thank you, Mandy. Now go back to

was screaming in his office after you left

ped out of a private black car in fro

o hide behind his broad shoulders for every single battle. I had dressed in an emerald-green, h

hockey sticks glistened beneath track lighting, champagne flutes chim

tulle dress that looked absurdly close to a bridal gown, laughing breathlessly a

headed down the narrow service corridor toward the private VIP

station when a figure stepped out from the s

ri

e, venomous malice. "I saw your car pull up, Nora. Did your fake

id, keeping my voice level. "I hav

g forward and lunging to snatch the envelope from under my arm.

I jerked back, shi

metal rolling cart loaded with freshly brewed urns of sc

dn't retreat. Instead, she grabbed the sleeve of my silk gown, feigned a violent stum

" the serve

steel ur

dark coffee casca

face and chest, but there was nowhere to go in the narrow corridor. The boi

mediate, blindi

oat as I staggered back against the concrete wall, my knees nearly giving out. The skin on my hand and w

the floor, splashin

o the tiled floor, deliberately ripping the lace of her white skirt, and let ou

help me! Nora, please!

undered down

s, a dozen high-profile guests, security guard

front, his eyes blazing w

beside her, gathering her into his a

s tuxedo lapel, pointing a trembling, uninjured finger at me. "I just told her

y's torn hem, then snapped

s shaking violently, clutching a right arm that was

to his feet and towering over me with murde