nage. The rusted hinges let out a loud, familiar groan. The ai

broken blocks saw her. They ran over and wrapped their arms around her legs. Caroli

tic blinds, she saw a man sitting on the cheap vinyl sofa. He wor

roline's chest. She took a deep

rp eyes locked on

ervously. "Caroline, this is Mr. Alistair Fin

ydon's cold, furious face flashed in her mind. Her hea

formal bow, his British accent fla

d around the straps of her canvas bag until h

jacket. "Matilda Ross, the matriarch of the family, re

e let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "I'm an orphan. I have nothing

ather briefcase and pulled out a faded, yel

, smiling woman standing ne

ed. It was her mother,

instant. Her throat closed up, an

he suffered a severe psychological trauma. She is currently being housed in t

the desk. A heavy metal globe tipped over and crashed onto

pensive suit. "You locked her up?! Why didn't you tel

ectly neutral. "The circumstances are... complicated.

e's hands away from the butler. "Caroline, please. Yo

hands. Her mind was a war zone. Going to the estate meant walking straight

her gaze was pure steel. "If I go, you guara

gal document across the desk. "This is a trust fun

e paper. She shoved it back across the desk. "I

yes. He packed away the papers. "A car will be

indow, staring at the cracked pavement ou

hot tea. "Be careful, Caroline. Tho

ing the scalding heat thaw her freezin

off her knees and changed into a clean, cheap black penci

Phantom pulled up to the curb. The neighbor

ne stepped inside, feeling like sh

silence. The smell of the rich leather seats instan

ing toward the extreme wealth of Long Island. Ca