The Genius Empress of the Ice God

Allis

space of my bakery. I slid a fresh batch of sourdough onto

zzed aggressively

ister Isabell's face filled the screen, her glowing skin and delicate features f

cern. "I'm so sorry to bother you while you're working hard at the bakery,

ghtly. Sitting beside her was Declan Shar

my life's work-the core code for my neural-network AI system, the very algorithm I had poured my soul into at

est, deliberately letting the blinding, custom-cut so

ings have been for you lately, and I was so worried your heart would break. We want you to be the first to know-and of course,

camera with a icy, patronizing detachment. He didn't say a word, but his pos

atly, my face a unreadable mask.

ne hiding a needle in every word. "I want you to share our joy, really. You don't have

y voice smooth and devoid of emotion. "Congratul

e, I ended the call and laid the phone

and suffocating. A cold, toxic rage burned in my throat, not out o

r the door c

r sharp, calculating eyes sweeping over the rust

ous thrill sett

t on

perfectly manicured hand. "Baylee Allison? I'm

ok. Kade Montgomery. The legend of the New York Rangers, the captain, the untouchable god of t

o and placed it onto my workspace. "A public relations contract," she said, her tone efficientl

en back up into her eyes. I asked,

dworking baker. Most importantly, your public history with Declan Sharp provides a narrative that will generate exp

sation listed inside was staggering-enough to expand this

y injured," I

s to see someone 'healing' h

e signature line. Kade Montgomery.

e as a shield for their client. They didn't realize who they

ake effect?" I asked, loo

action crossed her face

r and signed my name in fluid, un

sing sounded like the sl

ning. "A car will pick you up tomorrow morni

crisply against the floorboards before

silence, save for the

et me know if you need help finding a dress for the engagement

lm settled dee

ignity, and my future. They thought they had pushed me

requires the exact right ingredients, a precisely cal

gomery, I had been handed th

or the first time all day, a cold, d

r. I'm preparing a feast for your wedding... and it's