y, dark mahogany. They felt like the gates to a fortress. Adelina

over the handle of her suitcase. Beneath it, she

, amplified by a microphone. Handy Morgan, waxing

shed the d

rd with a low,

oom died instantly, as if

e suits, turned in their seats. Their faces wer

Finley's smug smile froze on his face. A

rgan's face turned a blotchy, furious red.

ed a steady, relentless rhythm on the mar

a wide, false smile. "Adelina! Darling sister, wha

water. "Stepbrother, Javon. Let's be

mbers murmured amongst them

ough the tense silence. "What is the meaning of this? You h

and pulled it out. She sat down with a quiet, deliberate grace

the room with absolute clarity. "This CEO appointment ceremo

at her. "You, who shamed this family by running away from your own wedding! I'll have you th

posed to be her father, sent a dull ache through

a sealed manila envelope and slapped it dow

the two guards standing by

ward, their expressions gri

about to touch her, a side

ling behind him. He looked bored, as if he

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said, his

usiness world recognized the ruthless CEO of Apex Capital. They

early thought Gage was here to support Javon. "Gage! My boy! So sorry you have to

w the documented proof of Apex Capital's recent acquisition of a five percent stake in Starlight. Gage walked over to the empty chair beside Adelina and sat down, crossing his l

s on the man at the other end of the table, the

oss the polished surface. It slid

id, her voice firm and

uming brown envelope. The air grew thick wi