t of Caden Blankenship. The idea from last night refused to fade

scene, with no scandals, no recorded relationships, and only a handful of professionally taken photos available online. None of them showed him smiling. In the clearest one, a c

ore was no longer vague. She had spent the night turning it over in her mind, a

ution. It was a checkmate. It would grant her not only access to her trust fund bu

rowser tabs filled with slanderous articles and s

unequivocal termination of the engagement contract and included a stern warn

reat. She didn't need a lawyer to tell her what it was worth. The recording was leverage. Pure and simpl

destination was the one place she felt truly at peace, the one p

de's M

ho could help her navigate the treacherous

ng can when she walked in. He didn't seem surprised to see her, as if he had bee

an down with a steady hand. His eyes lingered on her face for a moment longer t

is desk, forgoing any pleas

orn leather chair opposi

"I need to get married. Immediately. I need a man who is reliable, who has a certain

ve my trust fund, I can offer him a generous compensation package. We would le

ched the young woman in front of him, so coolly logical in the fa

date in mind?" he as

did know him, what would she say? 'I want to marry the most powerful man in the city as a business

to you. You've been in this city a long time

across Julian's weathered fac

He studied her for a long moment, as if weighing whether to speak. Then he see

a nervous rhythm against her ribs.

poke, his voice deliberate. "As i

e ignited in G

omething she couldn't name. "He's just returned to the country. The family has b

he kept her voice even, ca

steady and unwavering. It was the mo

in days, eased the tension in Geneva's sh