PTE

EN'S

kwork, carrying suitcases and boxes up to the guest rooms. Well, not guest rooms

's s

y had been soft, delicate, and almost ethereal, Rose was bold. Sharp. A

ke that. This wasn't a relationship; it was a deal. A messy, co

one of the maids as she descen

clair's belongings are bein

top of the staircase. She paused there, her hand resting li

ortlessly stunning. Her hair was loose, tumbling over her shoulders in wave

king and raised a

my expression into someth

she wasn't sure she belonged here. When she reached the bo

aid. "Make you

o a faint smile. "Not m

ng around us. "They'll give you a tour of the

mply, folding her a

g for any trace of Lily in her face, her ex

ily. Not their color or shape, but the way they seemed to hold secret

g to work," I told her, glancing at my

ised an eyebrow, c

, my tone sharper. "I'll h

expression unrea

will take care of anything you need while I'

e was suppressing a sarcas

looked back at her, standing there in the middle of the foyer,

, her dark eyes meeting mine. "Th

surprised, then gav

tting the cool morning air hit me as

found myself staring out th

ble. But she was Lily's sister, and that fa

't like co

y head after the morning's events. Rose was under my roof now, and while I'd told her t

dwell on it. Work demand

Madison, appeared at the door, her clipboa

plied, settling into my

was my first clue something was wrong.

t her clipboard, then back a

"Seraphina? W

Madison said quickly. "It's happ

. "A board meet

"As a shareholder, she has the right to call a meeting, but from what

eching against the floor. "Accus

her words carefully. "She's been questioning your leadersh

laborate. I already kn

my jacket. "And have the minutes from the last meeting sent

urned and hurried out

, but this? Calling a board meeting to air her grievances

hallway as I made my way to the conference room. Madison caugh

wn, my anger simmering j

e room, the buzz of conversation ceased insta

t the far end of the table with a smirk on he

ping with faux sweetness. "How nice of you

coolly, stepping forward. "I wasn't aware thi

her legs. "Oh, I think the board memb

cleared his throat. "Damien, there's

, arching an eyebrow.

s. Albright, chimed in. "Particularly re

table. "I wasn't aware my personal life

s. Duval, a reputable woman from a respected family. And now, suddenly, you're

et?" Seraphina supplied hel

on neutral. "Careful, Miss Duval," I said, my ton

others are thinking. The board deserves to know if the

ckless?" I repeated, stepping closer to the table. "Do you think

en... shift in your personal life ra

ed. "Who is she? What qualifi

ly, cutting off further discussi

, her voice dripping with d

ty to lead, I suggest you review the quarterly reports. Our numbers speak for themse

ettle before continuing. "Now, unless there's something

members were trooping o

head pounding. The audacity of Seraphina was astounding. She was

mie

in the doorway not leaving, that

s?" she asked, crossing her

ok at her fully. "Doing what?" I asked flatly

room. "Telling me to back off in front

u humiliated yourself, Seraphina. You

e every right to call a meeting. I'm a shareholder

y voice sharp. "But I also didn

this is low? This is just the beginning, Damien. You can't serious

ed. "Leave Ros

hat people are saying about you? About her? About the company? Yo

id coldly, my voice droppi

e act of rebellion is going to last? She's not f

gaze. "You don't get to decide that, Seraphina.

any? What about everything we've built together? You'

t o

blinking at

eated, my voice cutting

asked, her voice rising. "You're

epping closer. "G

ression hardened, and she tilted her chin up defiantly. "Fine," she hissed. "But