cold despite the priceless tapestries on the walls.

r and steady, "our marriage will b

ous. He had assumed a public union

k later, it makes me look heartless at best, and a gold-digger at worst. More importantly, it will put the

y, impressed by her

ct. We will be husband and wife in name only. We will lead separate liv

d at the implication,

al and financial backing of the Stone Group to help me reclaim my mothe

king for his son. "The resources of t

ange, I will be your 'antidote' when you requi

l, detached service. Damien's face was a mask of cold fury. He hated being

" he b

private chamber, a judge procured by Arthur officiated a ceremony

tificate, she felt no joy. The paper felt li

d it to his assistant, Ian Reed, as if

Wing of the estate prepared for Chloe. It was Eleanor's. No one is to disturb her without her permiss

black credit card onto the table i

oe said, pushing it back. "I w

on him, an irritating fr

ork, her fingers flying across the keyboard. She drafted an em

phone began to vibrate violently, buzzi

voice choked with panic. "Miss Beaumon

hat happened?" Chloe

ke... it's being linked to severe adverse reactions.

e a physical blow. She

e story with grim urgency. The headline blared across the bottom of the scre

r loved ones, protesting outside the SereneCare headquarters. The co

d, lethal attack on her mother's legacy, timed

ing the broadcast over her shoulder. He looke

. For the first time, his voice

jacket, her eyes blazing with a new, c

eymoon, no celebration. Only a wa