omed into a knowing, slightly envious smile. She nodded tactfully, gently close

r head. She pushed hard against his chest with both hands, but it was l

lfriend?" she hissed in a low v

ng calm--even amusement--floating in his gray eyes. "Aren't you? Two

ad all the way down her neck. With one sentence, he stripped b

" she argued, but her voice came

. "So being drunk means you can just pat your

s her cheek. "Seraphina Scott. Twenty-four years old.

ed close to her ear, unhurried, and every word la

ession. Your stepmother Miranda's marriage to your father was invalid from the st

a resource Miranda and her daughter tried with all their might to take but could never seize. The trust fund and private jewelry collection your mother left behind are wor

ping you keep tabs on Julian, smooth over connections. In Chicago, there is also a company you anonymo

u knew he was the public heir of the Carlisle family. You approached him not out of some girlish infatuation, but because you wante

. He knew who she was. He had

uestion stuck in her throat,

e more about my... girlfriend." He paused on the last three words, as if there had originally been a more i

at she was merely using a stranger to vent a reckless escape. In the end, she had voluntari

gh gritted teeth. "Give me back the ring, a

y under the office lights. "The ring? Are you sure you w

ameless,"

is eyes instantly faded, replac

d stepped back, givin

ed sharply, wat

hogany desk, arms crossed, his gaze traveling over

ing, didn't you?" he said, all tr

er most private, most humiliating co

ne of your

ing smile tugged at the corner of his mo

firmly onto hers. The next words

He looked at her, his expression solemn, without a tra

e a heavy hammer. She froze

st

the strength and experience of someone in power. Even his own nephew sai

meeting those steady gray eyes, without a tra

sn't

s ser

sn't relief, not smugness. It was closer to guilt--a su

in his countless romantic exploits. But if what he said was true, then she

at night was instantly overtur

giving her much time to digest. He spoke again, his tone

with you about that night. I came to fi

ing trouble. I want to clean house and thoroughly secure control of the Carlisle Group. You want to take back t

rturn Julian's game. I borrow your identity and your plans to legitimately intervene

nder the light. "The ring stays with me. Consider it

ce, and softly added one line, li

nd leaning on my shoulder, I called your nam