the grand staircase. She had seen the entire exchange from the upstairs landing. Phoenix br

It was... appraising. A flicker of something that

rine said, her voice crisp. "You handled her well. Th

daughter-in-law. She wanted a guard dog. One who would keep the other

of sleek, black metal. "This is your supplementary card. It has no pre-set

e surface, she allowed her eyes to widen with awe, a poor girl dazzled by unimaginable wealth. Inside, she felt noth

ing," she breathed, th

r tone shifting back to business. Her gaze sh

y care. I do not want the nurses handling the more... int

slight, hard thump. S

will personally administer a full-body s

id socialite. This meant touching him, all of him. It was a test of her nerve, especial

n or disgust. A faint sneer touched her lips. "Is

r of shock with one of solemn resolve. "No, Mrs. Sterling. Not at all

was to be handed a golden opportunity on a silver platter. A cha

our value here is tied directly to Cale. As long as he is in that bed,

enix standing alone, the cold, black card in her hand. It felt less

ical wing. Her steps were deliberate, her mind clear. This was just another

muscle atrophy, for the tell-tale pressure sores of a long-term invalid. She would search for

ul man encased in a prison of stillness. A nurse had already set out a basin of warm water, towels, and soap. The

oft, rhythmic beep of the heart moni

nt of antiseptic filling her lungs.

unresponsive face and spoke, he

g. Let's find out what

he first time in his ten months of deception,