folder onto the glass coffee table. "Vivian never sits with he

muscles aching after the long car ride. The Lin estate

, opening the folder. Pages filled with color photos,

e clinked against the crystal glass. "The wedding dress fitting is on Thursday. By the

t page. It was Vivian at a beach resort, wearing dark sungl

" Pearl muttered

ediately. She hates the head housekeeper, Mrs. Chen. She never speaks to the driver unless she is yelling at him to d

Pearl looked up, her brow furrowing.

them with his glass in hand. "And if people start asking questions, the

ly, her eyes staying on her mother's pale face. "If he

r mirror from her bag, using a powder puff on h

't she?" Pearl pressed, leaning forwar

onto the shiny glass. "That is none of your business! Your job is not to ask questi

ands tightening into fists on her lap. "You told me it was a marriage for money. Who is h

her husband's arm to calm him down. She lo

from one man," her

chest hitching. "

ng up a smaller velvet folder from the side table. "The old family leader made sure th

ked, her heart starting to

ering his voice. "The marriage contract ties the br

air leave her lungs. "Three? You want

y looking toward the heavy wooden doors of the si

et so fast that the folder fell from her lap and hit the floor with a lou

r said coldly, without moving. "It connects our shipping ports to their b

violently, backing away toward the door.

er, his voice smooth and toxic. "The machine keeping her lungs moving costs eight thou

back a sob. She looked at her father, hoping to see

from the floor and setting it back on the table. "Look at the

orced herself to walk back to the sofa. She sank

der and laid three large black-and-wh

," her mother said, ta

t and a dark tie, sitting behind a huge desk. But it was his eyes that made Pearl shiver. They

esn't smile, he doesn't compromise, and he notices every single mistake. I

ered, her mouth dry

mother continued, point

ng an unbuttoned dress shirt with no tie. He had a crooked, hands

venues. He looks easygoing, but he uses charm like a knife. He will try to flirt wit

the photo, feeling a strange shiver r

hand hesitated over the final picture b

r mother s

, holding an unlit leather journal in his lap. He was looking slightly off to the side, his posture re

. "He handles family intelligence and internal security. He stays in the shadows. Out

tching over her pearls. "She said whenever Alex looked at her,

d glued to Alex's

ade Pearl jump. "They expect a spoiled, loud, selfish girl they can easily control or ignore. If you show up

lap, her rough fingers tr

re it out?" Pearl whispere

s face was inches from hers, hi

t stop paying for your grandmother. They will bury all three of