tem chimed a sof

into the apartment, bringing the c

s were sweating. She forced her spine straight and off

sekeeper. Her sharp, critical eyes scanned Ansley from h

and walked straight to the head of the table. He sat down

ugh to seat twelve. The physical distance between them

ound of silver forks scraping against bone china echoed

of foie gras. She didn'

"How many days do you plan t

ook a deep breath. She looked d

in Geneva," Ansley sai

e dining room

topped mid-swipe

She dropped her fork onto her plate. The silv

away your career in Europe?" Elean

to a painful knot. She forc

," Ansley said. "I have the

ked up. His eyes w

ks to the reputation of this family," Arth

those disgusting rumors you caused. You have n

years ago hit her like a physical blow. Her fingers grabbed

ble, Emery su

silver knife and fork

the bone china. The sound was so quiet, yet it s

one f

etely wiped from his flawless face. His voice was l

ere as long as she

on the table. "You spoil this girl too much! Sh

im off. His eyes locked onto his father's, completely devoid of

heaved, but he couldn't form a single

things over. Her voice softene

. "Her staying here will only complicate things

ent hit Ansley r

as sucked out of the room. Her heart

A muscle ticked in his che

vate life at this tabl

back violently. The wooden legs scraped agai

ispered, keeping her eyes glu

s fast as she could without ru

ly threw herself into the guest bathroom.

the solid wood. She opened h

nor's angry shouting and Emery's co

n full blast. She cupped her hands and splashed the freezing water