e for a second longer, letting him see the challenge, before

ed towar

red lipstick was a slash of vi

d. A micro-expression of uncertainty. She was

o a terrifyingly gentle register. "You mention

Ilene flinched,

ce resting on Ilene's collarbone. It was a stunning piec

eef & Arpels signature, the invisible setting from their '78 collection.

ulse hammering aga

lessandra added, loud enough fo

rs ignited

s boug

they were j

the mi

. It was no longer about a desperate gold digger drugging a billiona

about," Ilene stammered. She took a s

. Brandt, you really shouldn't be so insecure. Why try to frame a 'nobody' like me?

a dir

utching the diamonds so hard the setting must have

breathe," Ilene wh

m the sidelines. "She's having a panic attack!

he room swung bac

less," someo

ng a sic

s. He looked at Ilene, who was now sagging into C

back down. She c

one," she counted

he said, her tone clinical. "Or perhaps a casting director? Th

of concern. He saw the sharp intelligence. And fo

team. "Take Ms. Walton to th

lene's side. He did

f cleaning off dirt. "Well, since the

nst her ribs despite her calm exterior. She

her wrist. Sharp nails

ou think yo

rm with enough force to leave bruises. Vivian's face was a mask of fu

ruined everything. Do you know what happened to your father? D

eline. The woman who had told her to "be a good wife" when Darius i

andra said coldly. "