he living room and pressed a cup of hot water into her hands. Chloe drank

Mrs. Peterson began, her voice a low, co

cold. "Was it Rich

soup Laura brought her. That evening, she collapsed. I called our private

she was saved?" Chloe presse

eam of men in black suits arrived. They were... prof

something the Madam gave me years ago. She told me if we were ever in a danger

t felt vaguely familiar, a half-for

They said they would handle her treatment and ensure her safety. But

oe asked,

They said the people behind the poisoning were powerful. Only if everyone

strategy. A plan she had

take her? How do

folded piece of paper from her apron pocket. It contained a single, en

ther was alive, but a captive of circumstance

eded time. Time to find the truth, and to

steady and firm. "Help me with something. W

in Manhattan. The guests were few, mostly distant relatives and Richard's bus

yed the part of the grieving orphan to perfe

accepting condolences as if they were the chief mourners, subt

ilored suit approached Chloe. "Miss Beaumont," he murm

but her expression remained placid

ts tinted windows reflecting the gray sky like obsidi

Chloe asked,

mply opened the rear door an

nected to her mother, to the myster

leather interior. The door closed behind her with a h

of leather and power. She looked up

coldest, most familiar pair o

The man fr

creamed wealth and authority. He looked nothing like the tormented

ien said, his voice

ced a mask of cool indifference onto her face. "

s presence filling the small space, suffocating her. "Don't play game