bed the massive check. Her

again, until the check was nothing but confetti. She let the pieces

k on the fron

nt, walked in right on time, car

onto the shredded paper on the floor. A flash of genuine sh

e out of the master bedroom. The plastic wheels ground ag

s briefcase and pulled out a trust fund transfer ag

. This trust is enough to buy a beachfront villa in C

ument in his hand. The sudden spike in her ad

th, forcing the phys

away. The sharp edge of the paper slic

ed, his jaw

Elease. Without Mr. Walton's protection, yo

She pulled out a heavy ring of keys a

onto the marble consol

e high ceilings. That sound physically se

al this time. In all his years working for Brogan, he had ne

he handle of her

do with the Walton family ever again,"

her arm to stop her from making wh

sideways to avoid his touch. Her m

private elevator. With every step she took, her lungs

nside, turned around, and looked at Nolan, who

ed the cl

lid shut, cutting

nees buckled. She slumped against th

ion made her panic-induced cardiac symptoms flare up violently. She

imed at the gro

the old suitcase. A flicker of surprise crossed

rough the revolv

ng drizzle, slammed into her. The cold air rushed dow

ingle ride-sharing app on her phone was tied to th

st subway station. Her high heels splashed i

The tires hit a pothole, splashing dirty, fre

. She didn't feel angry. She only fel

ing the suitcase drained the last bit of strength from her arms. S

iving train masked the sound

When she pulled it away, there was a faint, u

g it. She swiped a standard yellow MetroCard at the

r stomach churned. She wrapped her arms tightly around the handl

buzzed in

rianna'. It looked like a tiny bea

forced her vocal cords to pr

tonight," Elease said, smiling through th