at her phone in fear. Cross Industries' stock

Cross's office in the penthouse. "Your precio

e. "Restrain yourself. We won't b

ed at the display. "'Gold-digging seductress.' 'Corporate cl

. Damage control measur

oss, my reputation is destro

y corrected. "Like it or not,

se while you're quietly observing from

cool. Invade every newsroom? Sue every person on soc

to his desk. "Exhibit any emotion at all! Or

believe I don't give a damn? My whole legacy i

ily legacy! You had a choice in this, a

oss. "Or did you forget ab

ma's phone. "Speaking of th

s. "Emma Carter is awful. Did you truly believe that you would be protected by marrying Cro

off," s

bluffing," with a hin

er face. "What exactly d

s she recalled late nights, hushed phon

with just one bulb shining on him. He was holding a pho

r mother?" s

was aloof. "She died think

he wa

d excellent at business.

not him,

I marry you for co

a challenge. "Or was

cked. Something electrifying fl

s phone. As he listened, Emma

e pause. "Keep me updated." The phone crack

happ

sa's teamed. They are making p

e! That type of aut

age. "She has spent months organizing this. The

p: "CROSS-CARTER MERGER LINKED TO IN

used Cross Industries to clean dirty money."

d Emma. "That's not

reserve his busines

his arm. "If you know somethi

could respond. Vanessa's vide

ed effort to forget? What would your new bride say if she found out the

?" Emma insisted. "What

ession. "The truth tha

ovebirds, make an informed choice. Your em

glass broke. Through the s

"Do you t

n't k

c and chilly was thrust into her hand by him. "Because what I'm

uld say another word. Two individuals

ma let ou

er stood in the doorway. "I apologize, my love

you" Cr

ur father-in-law and I have a common goal." Her smile was i

ng?" Emma's tone falte

ze never left Cross, and his hand remained

a deadly voice. "Or should we tell Emma how

cautioned

re tightly. "What do yo

es, Cross," "Show her how Daddy dearest c

" Emma m

ther isn't who you think

sk in one seamless motion. Richard's f

father, who reared her, her husband, who married her for uni

tilize the key in her palm, i

ng up her mind when