an's

e m

rty

and twenty ho

tr

loca

take to

na had v

time in years adr

felt colde

e it was

his office, staring down at the

elt d

each

g?" he asked w

im, Jonas

racked the message, but it led to a dead end. Whoever

s jaw ti

rse the

wasn't

s calc

ry m

ry d

d wasted was

appear," Adrian said qu

didn't

ly, closing his eyes

t wasn't peac

s echoed

love yo

uffocated

scoff es

ttered. "Tha

ere was one th

s Sera

't break thin

thout a

, more cautious this time

finall

Wh

said. "Your father's

len

ea

ol

ression darke

co

ha

ing he coul

nued. "If you're not married by then... t

pau

w they're wai

s eyes h

Y

kn

always bee

ys wa

to take what

ee w

s all he

secure everyth

ndfather would make such ridiculous demand but the only woman he was wil

is desk slowly, his mind

tio

eded o

he same dead end Seraphi

T

t entered

ha

wel

.. po

stil

ced immedia

n't respond

the idea

mpo

cula

he hated in

made sense.T

ian started slowl

as w

aze darkene

e else," he said calmly,

len

mpl

stared

mean a tempor

drian corrected.

felt dif

ngerous had just b

onas said carefull

" Adrian cu

as already

he inheritance is secured. My siblings are

s hes

d. "Who exactly would agr

ara

epped into the cramped back office, the smell of cheap air f

even looking up from her phone. "Miss scholarship girl.

nickers

the shelf, checking the order list, her

his job," another voice chimed in

with a smirk. "Girls like her

e. Elara's grip on the clipboard ti

sed, finally turning to fac

moment, it looked like she might speak but sh

ce only mad

d. "Acting all high and mighty. Me

o do deliveries, rig

the screen. Then she smi

Elara..." she said sweetly, printin

glanced

y distan

on: Ape

omach d

f the others muttered. "

nding it over. "Which is

lowering. "Unless you suddenly

e it was again that quiet, unshakable

word, she t

ira muttered, r

is would to lead to meeting the