sound bounced off the high ceilings, co

hovering inches from his ear. He sta

are you laughin

. "You're panicking over a standard negotiation tactic. Earl is obsessed with me.

e. Everyone in Manhattan knows Earl Calderon

," Stanislaw growled, tu

on, the heavy brass doorbell of the penthou

oss the foyer and p

footsteps echoed o

less black tailcoat, the silver Calderon family crest gleaming on his l

ne receiver. It dangled b

Stanislaw. He practically tripped over the rug as he rushed fo

d honor," Stanislaw reached o

oothly bypassed Stanislaw's outstretched

nds grasping empty air, his f

able bow-a gesture of measured, surface-level respect that perfectly maintained t

ck, black velvet envelope sealed with silver

ate next Wednesday evening," Alistair announced, ensuring every syllable was hear

the room lik

s darted from the velvet envelope to Karme

en, her face turning a

tely paralyzed. She slowly pulled one hand from her pocket and pinched the en

drawled, tossing the envelope onto the glas

espect. He simply bowed again. "I w

hands rubbing together. "Mr. Finch, please, let me have the maid p

tly, looking at Stanislaw as i

e," Alistair said coldly. He turned on his heel and mar

ak doors cl

the living room

minutes ago was entirely gone. In its place was a sick

n forced herself not to violently shove him away. "I knew you had him wrapped around

, then up at her father's greedy, sweatin

ger at the dangli

the lawyers?" she ask

base. "Of course not! Your mother's trust is perfectly safe. In

the velvet envelope, turned her back on him, a

nside and loc

's knees gave out. She slid down the he

s, her lungs pulling in ragged, desperate breaths. Augusta Calderon's forced mandate