a forced concern that couldn't quite mask her unease.

berate, a stark contrast to the hesitant, al

d, her voice smooth as glass. "You've

iting sarcasm in her tone, Chlo

AC

ulent suite. June stumbled back a step, her hand flying t

truggling to catch up. The weak, pliable Chloe

f it had acted of its own accord. "My hand must have slipped

ounding force. It was real. This was all re

erned sister fell away, revealing the venomous creature bene

irs on June's arms stand up. "Help me ruin my own reputation? Help me disg

r mouth to shriek, the

the doorway, his face a thundercloud of impatience. "What i

umpled, and she burst into theatrical sobs, rushi

ling finger at Chloe. "She wants to call off the wedding

he could unleash his legendary temper on her, Chloe's own face crumpled. She mirrored June's act, but with a

bled, thick with unshed tears

ed eyes. "I was just saying how nervous I was to marry Mr.

d Mr. Montgomery was a monster and that I should abandon the

. "I told her I would never, ever disgrace our family like that. And that's when she got angry. She

r at Chloe flickered, replaced by a s

icked. "She's lying! Grandpa, you k

. June's (real) plan, when laid bare, sounded like reckless, selfish sabotage. To a man like Arthur Pow

e dangerously low. "Did you encourage your s

on against the family. Denying it was useless; Chloe's sto

es and his face hardened. He knew his gra

now redirected entirely at June. "Do you have any idea w

h Chloe for the first time in her life. Humiliated a

softening almost imperceptibly. "Get ready,"

ft, closing the

out a slow breath, the adrenaline beginning to fade. But as she turned,

ad went through he

iation. The hideous, scandalous black gown that June and her mother ha