atum echoing in her ears. She didn't go back to the hotel. I

a dark, exclusive bar in SoHo. Isabelle Sterling, her best friend since boa

mmanded, her sharp blue eyes miss

Julian's refusal, the humiliation with Seraphina, and finall

"Well," she said, taking a large sip of her drink. "The

gin burning a welcome trail down her throat. "He's trap

red to you that a man who goes to such extreme, psychopathic length

to even consider. "No. It's not about me. It's about c

er and Julian in the back of his car after a gala. The ensuing scandal that threatened to tank both their f

Eleanor finished, staring into her glass.

, Eleanor? Who leaked it to the press? It was all a little too perfect, was

'd been fed. She had been too caught up in her own humiliation. She shook her head, di

, you moved out. That's the first victory. The war isn't over." She ra

hed Eleanor's lips. She clinked her g

ass of untouched whiskey in his hand. He was supposed to be finalizing a deal with his friend

g her phone since s

low whistle. "Isn't that your wife? L

at Isabelle, a genuine, radiant smile he hadn't

is ear. "Sir, we've confirmed it. Mrs. Vance contacted a private appraiser this a

ing plans to fight her father for

up from below, louder than the ambient

ee

ike a physical blow. It

er the pressure of his grip. The

him, grinned. "Freedom? Sounds like congratula

hed himself to his feet in

business partners, his voi

staircase, his eyes locked on hi