panoramic glass walls of Legacy looked out over

otes of a live cello, the quiet clink of sterling s

dark charcoal suit, his broad shoulders relaxed against

ing a small silver fork with both hands as he ca

but never Holden's wife-wore a plunging crimson velvet evening g

, her gaze fixed hungrily on th

arlie began, her voice soft and honeyed. "It's the most p

his plate, slicing his beef Well

ted the board recommendations last week," Hold

admissions committee places enormous emphasis on household

his mouth. His narrow shoulders drew

, Charlie's high heel kicked the side o

ing low as he forced out the words fed to him. "Daddy... the ot

ntly, the steel blade scraping the p

look at Charlie; his piercing gaze bore s

oice carrying an absolute, suf

l lower lip trembling as he met his

ulating each syllable with razor-sharp clar

lor as she quickly cut in, trying to force a laugh. "Holden! How

ate. He lifted a pristine linen napkin, calmly wiping

s pinning Charlie to her sea

d time," Holden said, his voice quiet, yet

and your access to high-society galas are your

smissive. "The position of Mrs. Bentley is som

ight corset. "Holden... how can you be so cruel? Six years ago,

lden's mouth. "If Leo's DNA hadn't confirmed that he wa

The private analysis performed six years ago had compared only Holden's sa

"Dinner is over. Gavin is waiting downsta

ils punctured the linen. Under his suffocating prese

bling smile. "I... I'll fix

els clattering frantically as she

, walking over to the high chair and placing

lightly. "You are my son and the Bentley heir. You do

ded vig

orridor. Christiana had used the Kensington family's authorization to secure a private consultation re

through the noise with surgical clarity: Holden's paternity ha

ger the only crack in the story. Claire needed