to set the

to watch the arrogant smirks slide off the

my mouth, a new voice

ng so long? The guests

rched toward our little group. His ID badge iden

to attention, their confident posture

s," Brandon stammered. "Just de

rsonal matters are to be handled on your own time, Hayes. We have a very im

sir," Brandon said qui

cognition. To him, "Mrs. Beaumont" was some abstract,

ayes. This is a restricted area for employees and authorized

anger and embarrassment. "I wa

s attention back to me. His expression softened slightly, though still wary.

phina, having regained her

ern. She shot me a look, a silent warning mixed with triumph. She thought

aves. "This is just my cousin, Abigail. She's... fallen

"A job?" I asked, my

ook both authoritative and magnanim

oud and firm. He was performing now, for his boss's ben

oking up at him with doe-eyed adoration. It was a practiced,

e cooed. "It must be so difficult for h

usiness is business. Seraphina, I had no cho

ng his twisted version of t

with false nobility. "I had to marry Seraphina to save her

o, Mr. Harrison. He gave up his own

. They were so convinced of their own story, they couldn