e's

desire to

to the edge of the gathering in the ballroom. Calling it "networking," Ann

ht sight of

ning. His broad shoulders and assured posture demanded attention as he sto

. My eyes met

haled as he m

want to speak to him. He was ahead of me by

murmured, in a softer to

hold off on compliments.

anguish. "Just list

s it a mistake to publicly humiliate

w. "You're not get

blame someone else." "You

ulders. "Kate, I didn

nswered icily. "I've

left. I could feel his eyes following me f

r of the space. I inhaled deeply to ease the tigh

recognizable

immediately put me at ease with h

and said, "You

dded softly. "Don't you think Simon

"Do you k

nd nodded. "Our paths have crossed. To put

le tone, but his e

cas, I muttered, "He says

Power, success, and someone as sincere as you are all things that people like Sim

ntion of doing so. However, it's challengi

perhaps it's time to de

ality, and I felt less alone fo

e couldn't stop thinking about Kate's expression. Her express

cautiously responded, "Sinclair." "On

it. His frown became deeper with each

He whispered somethi

responsible for his father's company's demise years ago.

e folder more tightly.

be," the as

w this to occur. Kate was unaware that she wa

e Lucas makes. If you mus

the assistant said, ha

aning back in his chair. Even though Kate

e following morning. I reached for it while grog

st of Rising Designer

rticle. It was full of false information, including made-up tales about my relationships,

unding, I mutter

phone when I heard

all right? An

face when I opened the do

odded. It can be found any

his way? I sobbed as I

at next to me. "You'll overcome this. A

ady knew i

attered across the screen again, the room whirled. The wal

Anna, I muttered, "Th

need to stay calm," her voice

of being a fake! Someone who digs for gold! When my entire repu

his further. Perhaps... Perhaps i

ople trust what they read, Anna. Before I

buzzed once more. Another headline that

e the Foundation of Kate

at I threw the ph

wed abruptly. "Ho

ed, hardly abl

at this particular detail. Whoever released this was privy

. It was a gut pun

been b

elived the previous few weeks' e

ne

gh, would she