navy blue Chanel, and you will look grateful. Do you understa

and laced with venom, screech

the "end call" button

than the storm brewing inside her. Rain hammered down on the roof of her

like a drab little servant fo

s. On a massive LED screen overlooking the traffic-choked intersecti

RN AS CEO SENDS CARLIS

d, powerful, inescapable. His influence was woven into the very fabric

lls-Royce Phantom, Julian Carlisle sat with his eyes closed. The c

Sterling, reported in a low, deferential tone. "And the board members are... anxious.

dn't open

ple in the acquisitions department," Ster

ghtened. He didn't raise hi

rds dropping into the silence w

cussion. That was the end o

h glide of the Roll

tion descended into instant anarchy. Horns blared. A yello

's driver slamm

to blot a stray drop of rainwater from the makeshift ribbon on he

inattention wa

imposing, solid black rear of the Ro

kening crunch o

he airbag didn't deploy, but the impact sent a jarring shock through her

in frustration. Not fear. Just pure, unadulterated anno

ling's face had gone pale. H

re you

as if he'd been disturbed from a light nap. He calmly brushed

he said, his voice a lo

. She glanced at the car she'd hit. A custom Rolls-Royce Phantom.

er personal trust fund. It would hurt.

ers on her car swished frantically back and forth, smearing the water across

mirror, which dangled by a wire, a

, a familiar complaint for any city dweller. It wa

gesting they call the police, thei

ced at his Patek

et from the seat beside him and began scrolling through a merger proposal, t

worried about appearances above all else. This man, whoever he was, treated a ma

nfurled, shielding him from the deluge. His polished lea

much smaller umbrella and stepped out into the rain, a fresh wave of anxiety washing over h

the cost of repairs. It was about the fact that now she'd probably have to take a cab to the Carlis

onally neutral. As he got closer, his eyes flickered

. He glanced back at the tinted windows of the Rolls-Royce. This ev

one of the metal ribs. Icy rain immediately started dr

closer, forcing the issue. Th

in, and let the mask of the untouchable, arrogant Pruitt heiress slide into place. It was a def

ndle this. S

-