a

ld, piercing gaze, I knew nothing good could come from whatever words he had ready for me. I tried to sl

ke I was something cheap, something worthless. "Whoring your way up to the top-s

ldn't breathe. The idea that this was the man who was once everything to m

rp anger simmering underneath. "I don't have time for wh

in his eyes deepened. He leaned in, his breath warm

voice dripping with disdain. "Waiting for the rig

g. I had watched him over the years, watched and waited for the moment when I'd finally get my say, my piece

e, though the spot where he'd held me throbbed. "You'

oping to escape his hateful

Vanessa and his mother, all three of them staring daggers. It was as though they'd been waiting

lingered on my arm, barely loosened, like he was reluctant t

the wife of a wealthy man, behaves like a countr

the accusations." I retorted, feeling my heart rate steady, my compo

, annoyed, as though the enti

unflinching, only offered

ai

way, watching the unfolding scene with a cool, guarded expression. Relief flooded

owering his voice as he asked, "Are y

I tried to smile, though the weight of t

emeanor shifting as he turned to look at Alexander and his family. "It

t that. "Vultures woul

be that same man, sharp and closed off, unwilling to look beyond his assumptions. My pulse still thudded,

second he saw my face, his expression shift

tense. He hadn't missed the look in Alexander's eyes,

like this, his easygoing warmth the perfect antidote to Alexander's frosty arrogance. I wasn't here to confront

ddressing the crowd, but Alexander's unmistakable presence weighed on the room as he

ckered to me with a coldness that bordered on disdain. It was as though

Graham," he greeted, his tone dripping with forced courtesy. "It's an honor to have you here tonight." His g

beating faster, but Dominic wasn

He chuckled, shooting a glance at me. "Not much of an honor if

truck Alexander, but he barely let it show, his mouth

Alexander. It's another to act so blatantly in

eyes darkened, and for a second, I caught the barest flicker of irritation-ju

rested in partnering with us." He raised an eyebrow, his hand resting

ion of looking away. Instead, I smiled small, deliberate gesture meant to sho

should, making it abundantly clear that any future dealings between us would need my approval. He l

rning into me, waiting