e Pruitt mansion like a swarm

g tea in her sitting room. When she saw them, she

g of this?" Elena s

rt order signed by A

ena cried, blocking the d

itor. He stepped forward w

_ Isla

Kael gently but fir

hidden panel behind the full-length mirror. She knew it was there. She use

nted. "O

ied the panel

sla typed

ate radiating off her

la commanded v

She punched in the code, her

or swu

hires. The diamonds. The pieces E

lt heavy, cold. She remembered the smell

screamed. "I've wor

ed to grab it. Elena stumbled,

ything. But as the pile gre

g. The signet.

. She held up a phot

ken thing. "Brande has it. She wore

ld. That ring was t

e is

ena sneered. "W

thing," she instructed the auditors.

throat. It was more than just stress. It was a secret, growing inside her, a silent deadline that made retrieving that ring, securing her mother's assets, an ab

to streak t

Brande was at a booth, waving her hand around, the emerald flashing

the VIP shadows, Julian

saved you?" his friend asked, pointi

de, not Isla. Her credit card charges led him here. He needed to confirm his suspicions a

he sa

her cheeks, her eyes fixed on that ring. She look

He leaned forward, restin

e," he w