g, silent moment. His expression was unreadable behind the

his voice a low, danger

nacing rhythm on the hardwood floor. At the door, he paused without looki

rough Chloe, but she kept up her act, her sobs contin

ouse. "Get up," she snapped. She motioned to two young maids who had appeared in the doorwa

ny," but she was no match for them. They dragged her in

ity had been on standby. Within five minutes, a full report pinged on his encrypted phone. He held it

pted daughter. Public records indicated a history of mental problems. She

acity. Not only did they swap the bride, but they sent him damaged goods. A

apid but socially acceptable woman to act as

Turners that I am very satisfied with their 'daughter.' However, t

their fraud and send their precious "compensation" back, plunging th

l one. No one would suspect the husband of a "fool" of plotting a corporate takeover. No one

oy. He was curious to see

simple nightgown provided by a disdainful maid, was left alo

to test

tching through the crack in the door to see how long it took a maid to ap

f. She took them down and began stacking them on the floor like a child

a tuneless, repetitive song-her behavior a pe

g on the floor, stuffing a handful of macarons from a welcome tray in

out a hand smeared with pink buttercream. "Gable-ganny

sically ill. She barked an order at a ma

e more troublesome, the more pathetic I appear, the m

g Barnaby, her eyes wide and fearful. She looked like a small, frightened animal trapp

d, looming over her. The silenc

his voice leaving no room for argument,

rebranding her. Claiming her. A chill that had nothing

ame does this m