w, complimenting his manners, his ambition, and his clear devotion to her daughter. Andrew played his part flawlessl

ith declared it was time for her to go

s ear. "So much better than those silly pictures

n, it was a true pleasure. You must come for

Judith," Andrew replied,

inst it, closing her eyes. The energy drained out of her, leaving her

ef. She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Seriou

drew said, his forma

gratitude was real, but she needed to re-establish the boundaries. Th

g out the three hundred dollars she'd

him. "This is for your time. For your trouble." She was trying to tur

ardened. The warmth vanished from his ey

crumpled hundred-dollar bills she had forced on him earlier. He pl

arity," he said, his

ed, flustered. "It's a payment. A business deal. You a

desperate edge. "If you're willing to... to continue this arrangement, just for

ch was sitting on a small desk in the corner. He gestu

browser. He then paused and look

network, and gave him the password. He typed in the address for a private Swi

en he

creen, in bold red letters, was a message: ACCOUNT ACCESS D

ne thing to hear his father's threat. It was another to see

of a man who had never wanted for anything,

He needed time to figure out his next move w

The defiant pride was gone, replaced by a complex, calculating expression. He was lo

uly considering he

st you?" he asked

r. "We're both in a corner. You need a place to live and a way to survive. I need a fake boyfri

options. His pride versus his sur

slow, deli

said. "We h

n and deceit, was sealed in th