t of every skeptical, mocking stare in the room. At t

ustration. "Are you finished with this charade? We settled everyt

val rippled through

at? She's acting like a spoil

in private? Does she have t

e nowhere to be seen. They probably kn

iera. Instead, she sent Oli

ast bit of ho

iera raised her h

he screen behind the

himself, repeatedly calling out for hi

oom froze in

before demanded Kiera be punished fell abruptly

over the venue as every pair

at the sight. She was going to marry into the influential Ward fam

Kiera's skin, never once imagining he'd be f

s eyes, glimmering on

for me!" she cried out, her voice trembling. Turning to Kiera, she added, "I'm sorry, Kiera. Oliver

elf as the innocent party-victimized, b

is hope fading as Danna's accusatio

m, the weight of the scandal and it

s bold reveal had thrown her carefully laid plans int

Danna crafted a fresh strat

teady steps toward Kiera, eyes gli

n that brief moment, Danna artfully shifted her wedding dress, exp

ing as he pointed accusingly at Kiera. "Kiera! Are these love bites?

ed the meaning behind those mark

y mismatched in status would end with bo

cameras clicking rising to a frantic pitch as e

, Danna allowed herself a secret, victorious smile. Sa

ifetime living in

he accomplished diplomat, the glowing pride of t

lly outshone, never truly win

but live such wildly different lives?

s barrage of camera flashes, unable to retreat

she would finally pull Kiera down and shatter the fla

er stomach drop. She gathered herself s

truck, she needed to take

his accusations for all to hear. "Bitch! Always acting out of reach, keepin

She landed a sharp, well-placed kick that sent Oliver to the fl

ce like ice. "Maybe I should have

rgized by scandal. Microphones and camera

ue both you and Mr. Ha

ct your diploma

ily and forced to seek protection from wealth

er eyes steady as microphones and cam

once celebrated her every accomplishmen

e pressure mounted, Kiera refused

ure poised smile, the same one that had once captiv