e at Henson Group headquarters, Elton

m, holding a stamped legal f

accepted our expedited filing. The

rd. "You're amazing, babe. Once the Franco syn

"I'm heading down to the design department right now to force Ann

ng her a flute. "I'll review the syndic

room was dead quiet except for the steady hum of air c

essed in a simple white silk s

polished concrete floor, flanked by two corporate paralegals. She carried a thi

coffee cup rattled. "This is the final IP assignment for the East Side development. Elt

opped their work, glancing ne

monitor. Her fingers kept moving ac

n assistant with no family trust and no legal backing. Elton kept you on payroll out of

hat r

e turned her chair around, her amb

stamped with the raised steel seal of the United States Patent

red mark across Jaylynn's cheek b

gistrant nam

crambled to pick up the top page. Her eyes l

t: Bonbon (AURA Glob

resentative & Sole T

shrieked, her voice cracking. "How c

his tie loose, sweat glistening on his forehead. "Annabel!

er cup of cold Americano and spla

rk coffee dripped from his eye

amework of this project belongs to Bonbon. I am her sole authorized agent. If you use a single line of those blueprints witho

n department was

scanning the USPTO seal. His knees buckled, and he had

e beginning?" he stammered, s

fail its bridge loan milestones. They wo

yours," Annabel said, picking up her leather ba

ged forward with her nails bar

lap across Jaylynn's face that sent the girl sprawling onto the carpet. A

receive a federal grand j

n up by her arms and dragging her out toward the e

he elevator down to the lobby, an

g. The screen display

wered.

us's deep, resonant voice came through

dewalk. "You have spies

thly. "Tonight is the Waldorf Astoria ann

o reason

olute. "Because your biological mother, Meredith