softly against the gravel as it approached the massive, wroug

e-long private driveway lined with ancient, to

ribs, a stark contrast to the cold calculation she had maintained all day.

e of household staff stood at strict attentio

va stepped out, her heels sinking s

pletely bypassing all formal protocol. He reached her in three strides and skidded to a halt just inch

ried from the doorway, thick with pride

blance to their mother. "You're finally home," he breathed, his voice breakin

beat. Then, the overwhelming, genuine warmth of his arms broke through h

face, locking onto the faint purple bruise on her cheekbone. His ja

hispered, his voice a low, dangerous rumble,

ile she had worn in days. "I've alre

d led her up the steps, through the grand double doors, and into the opulent

weeping mahogany staircase we

rushed forward, her diamond-adorned hands t

Ava's features. The unmistakable resemblance to her own youth wa

d. His eyes, usually cold and calculating in boardrooms, shone with unshe

me, Ava," his voice was thick with raw emoti

room lined with rare first-edition books an

cked up a thick, leather-bound portfolio and

plained, tapping the leather cover. "It's been

printed on the heavy stock paper. Her liquid net worth was in the multi-

heavy crystal glass to Ava. "The entire Beaumont

ed smoothly down her throat, settling the nerves in

er voice devoid of fear. "I want to publicly

He immediately pulled out his phone. "I'll instruc

e approval. "A Beaumont n

you are going to war, darling, you need the armor t

iliar but deeply intoxicatin

head. "Mr. Beaumont, a prominent billionaire has r

. "Tell him no. Nothing is more imp