of the previous night erased by a razor and expensive grooming products. A maid

he paper open. He di

banging a plastic spoon

er. He didn't look up, but the tensio

who had just arrived to take over for the sick

nce that followed was heavy, filled only by t

next week," Mia starte

liam said. He turned a page

way to her mouth. "It's the Sterli

e heirs you were so desperate to pro

question slipped out b

His eyes were cold, hard

. "And you don't want me

octave. "You are a liability. You don't know how to ha

you let them humiliat

ard. "Let's not rewrite history. You signed a contract. You secured a trust fund. Y

that money," Mia said, her voi

rl' facade," William countered smoothly. He ch

, buttoning

to talk," Mia said

lking toward the

han your

"Marriage? This is a merger, Mia. A merger you forced

n't pl

ning the heavy oak door

vibration rattled the cryst

chair. She felt hollo

ainting on the far wall.

ed the painting, and punched in the code. Arthur had given it to her months ago, instructing

a single

aced the edge of the document. Pe

eks ago. She had hesi

t that door wasn't a husband.

oom and set it down. It looked innocuous. Just paper. But

-