y deposition, every technical schematic. This wasn't just a case anymore. It was an opportunity. A way to get inside the walls of the enemy's fortress, to learn his weaknesses, to find the trut

both severe and elegant. Heels that made a sharp, confident click on the pavement. Makeup

steel. Three years ago, she had walked through these same doors as Mrs. Sinclair, on

rble desk gave her a dismissive, o

Sinclair," she said, h

e, Ms. Reed. Right away." She spoke into her headset, he

energy rushed out from the bank of elevators. "Ms. Reed? I'm Casey

rse. Everyone from he

, colder, with shadows in her eyes. She remembered standing in this very elevator, cornered by Killian's mother

plush waiting area outside. "Mr. Sinclair is just f

or had changed. It was more minimalist, more severe. More Killian. The memory of his c

he hea

e fragments of a conversation. A woman's voice, low and intimate.

tone was soft,

ugh, laced with an unfamiliar gentlen

hot tide of shame and fury. He was in there. With a woman. Right now. Minutes before their scheduled meeting. He was doing this on purpose. I

any verbal attack, more d

was it. She was done. She would pay the twenty million. She would declare bankruptc

leave, the office

intelligence. She wore a white lab coat, but her hair was slightly mussed, an

e confirmatio

gave her a polite, if

the office. "Elara, same time next we

ot once in their entire marriage, spoken to her with that kind of gentleness. She

ersonal pain down and pull the professional

expression unreadable. He saw her standing there, poised for f

her own exit. "If this is a bad time,

playing on his lips. "Leaving so soon? Were you exp

rted, her voice shaking with suppressed rage. "Unlike some people, I don't