ne, her nails biting into her palm as she felt a surge of

one feeling sorry for herself. It was time to take back control, to sta

eing pushed around, tired of being lied to, and tired of being hurt. It was time

inner light. She was ready to face whatever came next, ready to take on the world, and

o

was

d the fake affair rumors, something inside her just broke

wn si

of the article blurring together as her mind racing with the

back... it all made sense now. Ava felt a wave of anger and

es scanning the words for any ment

the one person she th

otte done it? What had Ava ever done to her? And how

ing second to Ava, hated that Ava had the perfect

t just waited f

ushed

on the phone, her nails

ails biting into her palm as she felt a surge of dete

one feeling sorry for herself. It was time to take back control, to sta

eing pushed around, tired of being lied to, and tired of being hurt. It was time

ce inner light. She was ready to face whatever came next, ready to take on the

walked into work wit

ng at his desk, scrolling th

d cleaning herself but He didn't even glance up

a folder on

to quit t

linked. "

free. I'm done with your 'accidental' payroll issues. And I'm defin

etter watch your tone, Ava. You'r

reputation? Lucas already did that, and

ning on her heel, walking out of that mise

ks, Ava felt like she cou

e had o

ve

pulated. People who whot the wrong version o

her turn to

e next few d

to survive-she was g

e was a

rned every b

e the woman branded

money and c

only one way

eting at an exclusive lounge

ch, but it w

mination in her ever

mirking over a glass

blood

surprise. "Ava? Wow. You

hrough her no

oking for a job? I heard no one want

d be careful, Charlotte. You nev

this world." She leaned in, voice dripping with amuse

ething dark and unsha

said coolly. "I'm j

's smirk

o

-

viewing business plans

hear you're look

frow

hear you're look

her eyes at

be interested. Meet me

his had trap written all over it. A se

r

exactly what

me, whiskey, and power. Dim lights cast seductive shadows over velve

York's elite lounged with cocktails in hand, murmuring deals bet

n-she s

isplay of dominance. An impeccably tailored black suit, sharp lines mat

n Bla

bigges

d into a slow,

her. Like he already knew

ulse ki

nting under the low lights, and murm

Ava. I was starting to