ly chic, minimalist restaurant where the bill for a single plate

s a vintage set of German drafting tools, rare and val

, deep and sincere. It was the look I had been starving for. "But you... you're

e me flickered, and

Marcus Thorne. Cedric's demeanor shif

acticed. He gestured to me. "You know my dea

loyalty to a business rival. The moment Marcus offered his pleasantries and walked away, Cedr

sked me to sketch some ideas for a new philan

of theatrical weariness. "It's just a name

m to take a call, leaving

the low, intimate murmur of his voice, the soft laughter he shared with her. He was giving t

ear as a bell, that made

s handling the initial drafts. Utterly d

ted.* A conve

ile folder was left carelessly open. T

MERGER: DUNCAN

ame. Why was my family's name ti