feet back into her high heels. She adjusted Griffin's heavy suit jacket

absolute authority and old-world elegance. He tapped his silver

elt a profound sense of safety she hadn't felt in t

oad shoulders and sharp gaze acted as a formidable,

She bit her lip violently to keep from screaming in

staff, recognizing the immense power of the Carlisl

banquet hall. Two footmen scrambled to pull t

er of two hundred elite guests began to die down

vy shift in the room's atmosphere, slowly stopped

The guests were captivated by the p

stus. His fingers went slack, and he dropped his crystal cha

t socialite smile froze into a mask of pure panic.

the legendary, reclusive Augustus Carlisle, a man who ra

grand staircase, his cane clicking rhythmically,

fusely. He tried to wipe his damp hands on

His voice trembled with a sickening mix of fe

etched hand. He stared right through his son

liation was excruciating. The surrounding

microphone to command the room. "I am here so

of his dress shirt-having left his suit jacket draped over

ding sparkle of a dazzling, centuries-old diamond tiara. It

hey recognized the historical and m

d metal settled into her hair, officially crowning her as

, matte black titanium card. He

eclared loudly. "A small birthday allowance

he Sinclair family looking like cheap amateurs

overshadowed, pushed her way to the front o

smile. "Oh, how beautiful!" she com

the marble side table," she ordered shrilly. The waiter quickly complied, presenting the box o

ged, her voice shrill. "It will perfectly complement the ti