za, a place of gilded ceilings and hushed conversations.

looking somber and heartbroken. He was wearing a dark

erfectly. "I am here today to address the vicious and unfou

le were whispering

s man," Julian continued, his voice rising with theatrical passion. "Camden Benjamin preys on vulnerable wo

f as the victim, Camden as the pred

bought her with jewels and dresses, promising her a worl

nce hang in the air. Then h

unwell. Her time with me was... difficult. She suffers fro

and defamation. He's just handed us the lawsuit on a silver

o you have any proof of these claim

was back. "As a ma

at shows Ms. Harding in a compromising position, selling herse

on. But it wasn't a g

igh-defini

e Harding family yacht. He was talking to

oom. "Just let me secure the trust fund vote, then we can dump her in a facility.

gasp swept th

his face turning the color of

October 14th. The day of E

, who was standing i

curity camera feed from outside Julian's apartment. It

ters were shouting ques

a mask of pure panic. He looked out at the cr

stoo

have to s

at the quiet, broken girl he had controlled for thr

ueen, backed by t