swept through

the security team

ined figure who never let a soul get close-strode

ut behind Leland, the entire hallway

t, hands neatly lowered, their faces carved into professional calm. Yet be

was contain

grainy photo surfaced-Leland, unmistakable even blurred, exiting a hotel suite with a woman

y him-the famously self

The guy who's never let a woma

in his arms? How the hell

spent years imagining themselves as Leland's future wife-c

.

Still caught between dreams and consciousness, she curled instinctively towa

instead, easing over her shoulder in a slow, s

ecurity, went rigid, his composu

ever seen Leland handle any woma

"What the hell's happening right now? He's never looke

. "Maybe the President is finally goin

rah, who had finally slipped past the

oss her face as she saw th

d finally let someo

suite, Emma wrapped up the last of Valerie's

onference, but the second he caught sight of Emma hovering in the

she?" he

e moment she arrived, and her view of the unconsc

d angle, it appears she did th

over, a flicker of mem

of despair, but out of sheer will to f

rocious self-control... it didn't belon

she felt nothing toward him, he wouldn't chase what wasn't off

her until she comes around. And ma

and pivoted an

.

of consciousness, Valeri

actical gear weighed on her shoulders, dust stinging her eyes as she faced a t

nder bellowed, "Phantom! You've got one chan

ng shot. His skull jerked back, and he crumple

ounding her with the precision of a storm, every round land

on, she forced out her coordinates over the radio-only for sudden headlights to bla

e lurched awake with a sharp gasp, her muscle

own mercenary unit had betrayed her. That

rous red. She'd track the traitor to the ends of the ear

ide the bed. Instead of calling anyone, she yanked the needle free and push

a stark reflect

real; the other carried winding red scars that tw

scarred half as she let o

had faltered during those missing years, her true identity wo

res of awe and dread-a woman whose beauty drew peopl

d charm-and just as many want

by humiliation. Paulina had taken everything that should've belonged to her.

self were watching through her eyes. "I'm back," she murmured, he

.

and the moment Valerie stepped onto the gravel dr

path. "Valerie, you didn't come home last nigh

stride, Valerie

r by the arm. "Don't you walk awa

eyes. She seized Lucy's wrist and

Lucy crumpled with a shriek, clutchi

mused curve of her lips. "What the fuck ma

nt nearby w

had vanished, leaving behind a woman who f

through gritted teeth. "You hillbilly piece of

s Valerie's palm met her face

tering across the concrete as a co

"Hear me clearly-I'm the real heiress of this family. Paulina's a goddamn thief who stole what

em like a storm front; every servant stiff

no one was stupid enough

ath cascading crystal lights, the Todd

in toward Paulina, slicing her steak with practice

y played the part of

e smile. "Looks like everyone's enjoying the meal

ter died

k rippling through the table as

d family had treated her like furniture,

tomorrow or died right th

pered little poodle enjoyed more

he brushed past their gawking expressions, dragged a

rd Paulina's position and leaned b