main hall, Elena stood directly beneath the glaring chandelier.

. Beside him, eighteen-year-old Carley-the biological daughter brought home three years ago-was wrapped in a cream cashmere shawl, her wavy chestnut hair spilled over her shoulders a

ill accusation. "Elena, how could your heart be so rotten? You know Carl

ty mark under her right eye. "Mommy, please don't blame Elena. I must have slipped

ife, Elena slid both hands into the pockets of

od coffee table. The bone china coffee cup

een his eyebrows twisting into a knot. "What is that look on your face

please. "She climbed over the railing and jumped in by herself. The estate securit

ula's silk blouse, her breath catch

p lying! The camera covering the fountain was down for maintenance t

tage, what makes you so sure I pushed her? Because she crie

hest. "Alonza, listen to her! How dare an orph

ed a trembling finger at the floor in front of the sofa. "G

he walls ducked their hea

p forward, her back straight. "I don't confess to things

p! It's all my fault for coming back to this house. If my sister hates me thi

za's temper. He stood up from the s

ed. "Without Hendrix money, you would still

aw clinical data I fed your R&D department from the Verdan Biophar

ant little fool! Without the Hendrix nam

coldly. "She only acts this tough because she thin

w it onto the coffee table. "Since you bite the hand that feeds you, I hav

ighter than it had in years. Carley peeked out from beneath her shawl, waiting

ot strip me of the Hendrix name and termina

gainst his vest, his face contorting as he marched around t

. "Strip away my family name, and by tomorrow mornin

ght into his bloodshot eyes. "Try me