ng Maybach, his eyes staring blankly a

on glided up, completely sealing him off from the driver. He reached into

ed, and the sterile, rhythmic beeping of m

Kendrick

al data from the blood sampl

. "Perfect. The donor's kidney function has reached the

the operating room pre-heating protocols

ing in the background. "Mr. Pope, the post-operat

is voice slicing through the air like a blade. "I o

reached up and loosened his tie. The gentle, loving mask he wor

ant's voice came through. "Sir, the estate's interna

He stared at the screen. Cora was actively searchi

ice. He stared at the screen

ternal connection. N

he madam's devices, sir

uffs. "Redirect the search results. Send her

ley Consortium headquarters. Kendrick stepped out of the car, flashin

Cora sat frozen in

toonish webpage popped up on the screen

eaned closer to the monitor, the bright blue light reflecting in her wide, exhauste

he empty room. "It's a reg

g her mind. She was projecting the horrors of her past-the trauma of Blanch locking her in the basement-onto Kendrick. He was

you? She stared at the cartoon dog on the screen, her stomach twisting into a tight, agonizing knot. She closed the

The butler walked in, followed by two mai

said, bowing slightly. "He requests your pres

a breathtaking, custom-made haute couture gown. Next to it was a vel

didn't feel loved. She felt like she was tou

again. This time, the call byp

ressing the phone h

ugh the speaker, her voice shrill and demanding. "I n

, her voice tight with panic. "I don't have acces

You get me that money, or I'm calling the tabloids. I'll tell

er thumb against the screen, hanging up the phone. Her knees gave out

ly trapped. She couldn't keep living like this. She had to find a way to

om the hallway, his voice flat and impatien

g breath, forcing the humiliation down into her

he stylist carefully dabbed thick concealer over

ed, blending the makeup. "You have a husband w

less, porcelain doll. She forced the corners of her m