he private dining room

ntouched. The quiet clink of forks against porcelain was the only sound breaking the stillness. A tall crystal chandelier h

engaging in the conversation. To his left sat Gregory Cole, who had come over after the late market close under the excuse of reviewing the joint press releases, though his shar

high, her expression calm and unreadable. She maintained her posture with practi

right. He hadn't

int heat of her shoulder in the drafty room. Throughout the meal, his gaze shif

ra feed and walked her quietly back to her suite, n

long under the single amber emergency bulb as A

as locked tight, the brass d

he arched doorway of her old bedroom suite. "If Vivian finds out you've breached the west wing, she won

m in the dim light. Her fingers curled instinctive

codes, Adrian? Is that what he told you to watch

h a sharp, defensive heat. "My father doesn't know I'm standing here, Elise. And he certainly doesn't know w

he held his gaze. "You'd just walk away when i

to touch her arm, then dropped his hand back

to survive under this roof,

bedroom door open, closi

e silence held t

his linen napkin beside his plate

ed our legal teams. To build Halcyon in seven years..

nce sheets and contract law, Mr. Cole. She didn't re

view. But ambition without caution can lead to unexpected complications, my dear

she didn't give him the satisfaction of a reaction. "I

He looked directly at his father, his eyes tight with anger. "The bridge loan terms are set. The pr

ment, then gave a short, dismissiv

reign exchange rates and left for his study. Gregory departed through the f

. Elise walked out to the edge, crossing her arms tightly over her chest as she looked out toward the weeping willows near the pond, l

one behind her. A heavy, warm weig

cket and draped it over her back. It

, though her posture remained rigid.

He kept a clear space between them, his hands resting on the damp stone. "You were in Eleanor'

ng at him with a sharp, guar

n, his jaw set. "I know you don't t

ngs with you. He made it clear that if I didn't walk away publicly, he would use his bank notes to force y

ribs. She didn't break down or let her expression soften. Seven years o

that story to cl

at night alone, Adrian. You didn't trust me enough to tell me the truth then, and you

n ledger, Elise. I know what I threw away, and I know why you're back. But if you're going after th

orn resolution in his eyes. She gathered his heavy wool jacket from he

ing beat of humor as she stepped past him toward the warm light