nder smile as she approached Veronica. "You must be Veronica?" Though Veronica couldn't stand Matthew

able, but your wit certainly isn't." Veronica, who was naturally fair-skinned, had deliberately darkened her comple

joy of holding a great-grandchild. I've learned about your parents being hospitalized and how you're working part-time to

a great-grandchild, but that's a matter for your family. It has nothing to do with me." Was this woman serious? All this just b

ilton restaurant. Matthew didn't sh

y I'm

e so perfect they seemed almost unreal, radiating a cold elegance. When he offered a simple smile

the world at arm's length-shattered her composure. Still, she forced herself to stand, smoothing her dress

ping over her for a brief moment before fl

edition Gucci jewelry. She was radiant, but Matthew, long

ver you like, Mr. Ki

y we

ch sets and a bottle of red wine. He sat perfectly upright yet relaxed, then fixed a piercing gaze on T

ging after he'd retu

t, resigned smile. "To be honest, my father wanted me to get a taste of the real world. He had me deliv

her cover, even visiting the accident site to understand the sequence of events and reviewing security footage of Matthew being taken away. To

eyes for Floch Larson's methods. "A good le

nk he was r

l have someone transfer you one h

s stunned.

ife. This is yo

ry about it. That's

nterest. It was Matthew, and Matthew alone, that she wanted. She tilted her head, a graceful smile playing on

e compensation, have your father contact my secretary. I'

n softened Tiffany's delicately made-up face. "I appreciate the

ed speaking when Matt

use

e screen showed the name

it?" he

pologies, Mr. Kings. I was unable to follow your instructions

nted the even

andmother? What is she

d gotten her information so quickly. After a short silence, he add

in Matthew's eyes. "S

ng the phone in his hand

ce was overwhelming. Before she came, her friend Rachel had told her again and again to play hard to get, convinced it would spar

he rep

acticed innocence. "Helping people

talent were widely acknowledged. She was the shining star of a family on the fringes of the city's powe

at the door as servers hu

table. "I'm so sorry, but I have to be at the children's home b

student, an accomplished artist, a philanthropist. She played the part d

Matthew sensed a calculating mind working behind the fl

so generous, perhaps I coul

r? What

o pretend to be

. girlf

it. Maybe Rachel's strategy was actually working. She froze for a

t under

ed. I have no interest in their plans. I need someone to play the

ked, her voice a careful

ept," he said, his ton

ambition swept away any lingering doubt. "If tha

nnected to him. To refuse now would be

e touched Matthew's lips, a shado

l the others

she really saved him by chance... or was