chose

the complete antithesis of the "pure" white Chanel Francisco

flicker of annoyance crossed his face, but he said noth

t the glittering lights of Manhattan, creating a wall of indifference b

d charm, smiling and nodding, her hand resting lightly on her husband's arm. B

y light around him. He was surrounded by the city's elite, but he stood apart, an apex predator in a room full of peacocks. Their eyes

ook at each other again. It was as if their phone call had never happened. A sl

wed at her al

sphere hit them immediately. The living room was brightly lit, and sitting

pression and eyes that missed nothing. Beside her on the sofa, looking small

p, cutting through the silence. "

ardened. So, the little viper h

he office," Chloe replied, her voice even and

and the mother of my grandson! She is not some stranger you can bully! You, on the other

in the air. Chloe felt the blood drain

fair," Francisco sta

nom on him. "I always said a woman with no back

tness. "Don't you worry, dear. You've been wronged. From now on,

a transfer of power. Kasey wa

's father and the chairman of the board,

ing the weight of absolute authority. "The Seacrest Bay pr

art into for years. The one part of the Ster

continued, not even looking at Chloe. "And you, Chloe

in a thin veneer of concern. They

," Kasey said, standing up and giving Chloe a look

perfect, supportive family. And she was the outsid

simply watched them, her silence more un

r said with a dismiss

rds the staircase, her back ramrod straight

edge of the bed. The weight of the evening's humiliat

nightstand. A new message.

. My assistant will send you th

knot of despair in her chest loosened, just a fraction

ing her. He wanted to see how she would h

ad pa

now, they had given her the one thing she needed