Warr

shaken me moments ago. Gunner, ever the professional, simply listened, a low "understoo

Cameron stood by the window, his back to me, a post

he began, his voice drippi

, my movements deliberate. I poured myself a single malt, the am

ice flat, as I swirled the drink in my glass.

illiant. Dedicated. A real asset to the foundation. You

asting the word. It felt

nd the room, avoiding mine. "The watch?

ry within me. This wasn't just about a watch. This was about years of su

d, my voice dangerously low. "The one my father designed. The one that

know what you're talking about, Julia. It

drink. It burned, just like the anger coiling

ridge the chasm that had just opened between us. "Julia, please. You're im

treatments I had endured for years, all because he had convince

, my voice laced with venom.

. She was laughing, a bright, carefree sound that gra

nsion in the room. "I picked up that little trinket you

, practically mocking me. She winked at Camer

watch, that wink, Cameron's guilty face. The

voice low, trembling

ed from me to Cameron, a confuse

oing in the vast room. I slammed my glass down on the polish

a! What's wrong with

humorless sound. "Is that what

on said, stepping between Kenda and me.

with your lover, in my home, wearing my father's last gift to

usion to outrage. "Lover? What are you ta

g. "Then perhaps you can explain why you're wearing my watch, Ken

Cameron. He was froze

onor," Kenda stammered, her voice suddenly sma

me. The woman who built this empire, who carried the legacy of he

uching my lips. "And what else did he tell you,

er of genuine fear in them. C

eaded, his voice cracking

"You think I care about embarrassment right now, Cameron? You hav

two conspirators caught in the act. The floral scent, K

rely above a whisper, but it cut through th

tood his ground, his jaw set. "This is m

ere my father's treasured chess set, a gift from a Saudi

ed my movements, a fli

he warned, his v

a stark contrast to the fire in my veins. I looked at

asked, my voice chilli

oom. It shattered against the marble fireplace, splintering into co

y shielding her with his body. A piece of ivor

blazing with fury. "You BI

e. "That, Cameron," I said, my voice