ahogany-paneled library, Theodore Carlisle-Vanderbilt III-a man whose sharp eyes betrayed nothing of

r?" he asked, his v

ightly. "Yes, sir. Everything has been arranged as you instructed. It's perfectl

ed a great-grandchild. I won't let Eleanor get her hands on this family's legacy." His stepdau

the old man's face. He'd served the Carlisles for thirty years an

always leaking some fake news to the tabloids just to get under her skin. I've tried everything-every conversation, every threat, every goddamn lecture I

rve any of this. But Theodore wasn't wrong about Julian. The boy was stubborn as a mule and twice as orn

" Theodore said. "The tea, I mean. S

k Range Rover swept across the library

simple, conservative black dress-armor, quiet and elegant. Arthur Chen met her at the

s on an urgent video conference. He ask

and portraits of stern-faced ancestors. "May I get

hur," Chloe said. She was thirsty an

cup. "Chamomile," he said, setting it before her wi

thanks. The tea was warm and fragran

grand staircase. Eleanor, Julian's stepmother, and her da

lle drawled, a smirk on her lips. "St

deliberate sip of her tea. The warmth spre

r. It started in her limbs-a leaden fatigue that spread fast. Her eyelids felt impo

ry surfaced-the Hamptons gala, two years ago, that same creeping lethargy after the champ

f gentle concern. "Mrs. Hayes? You look exhaus

y she hadn't been traveling, but e

Arthur said smoothly. "Why don't you rest ther

no strength to resist as he gently took her arm-his grip surprisingly firm. H

on economics and philosophy lined the shelves. A faded photogr

hy would she ever set foot in his room at the townhouse? The thought made something twist in her chest. She pulled out her phone and tried his number. No answer. It rang and rang until voicemail picked up. She hadn'

was a

e blanket over her. Then, with what little strength she had left, she shrugged off her blazer and pulled it over herself like a second layer-a small, stubborn act of self-preservation. She wasn't going to slee

s. Hayes," Ar

t, closing the doo

ing. He looked at the closed door

gripping his cane, and slowly made his way upstairs. The ta

d Theodore. He nodded to himself, a small,