ing light of a massive crystal

oken rib. Her hands flew to her face in a blind panic. Her fingertips met smo

her ears. The harmonious sound momentarily disoriented her s

tom-made haute couture gown. The heavy silk pool

accharine smile, her hands delicately

into a tight knot. Her muscles tensed defensively at the sig

dly. She made sure her voice carried so the ne

ey murmured praises, their champagne flutes clinking

luxury watch glittered under the ballroom lights, its

spiked behind her eyes. She remembered the hidden military-grade GPS track

nails so hard into her palms that they almost broke

ed out, attempting to clasp the hea

the physical contact, keeping her hands clasped in

," Ava said, her voice steady despit

second at the unexpected rejection. She bit her lo

gant swagger, wrapping a possessive arm around Seraphina's wai

er's effort, Ava," Ethan said. His to

s hypocritical, handsome face. She could still ta

it from Seraphina's hands without putting it on. She immediately turned and set the velvet

her shoulders, playing the disappointed, m

r with his eyes not to cause a scene and e

rigidly straight. "The room is far too stuffy for me,

alked over, a deep frown marring his face. He was already

a in a low voice. "Where are your manners? D

solutely zero lingering affection for the man who h

e, Father," Ava said fla

is hand dismissively. "Just go. Leave

a perfectly straight posture as she walked awa

on to network with a prominent Hollywood producer st

Her mind rapidly calculated her next strateg

d dead in her tracks. Tonight was the exact night her grandfa