ed by the scene before them. Despite her wrists being securely tied, Maren ha

eal? Was it eve

en the lightest of weights. Her clumsiness had once driven their

was she capable of defeating a group o

erhaps she had employed these so-called kidnappers to stage a dramatic rescue to capture Wilbur

act! Maren, you arranged this kidnapping. Here I was, thinking you had finally seen the error of your ways. I was ready to let you face a bit of hardship before I i

ise me so deeply? I never aimed to rival you. If my presence is too much, I'm willing to leav

brothers, causing a pang of sympathy among them. Their

better it would be if Nadia could truly be part of this family.

array of indignities Maren had

's enemies, her father had hastened to introduce

adowing Maren, who had lost all recollection of her underworld years

Nadia at every possible occasion, even cat

ready too m

lace as the acknowledged Morgan daughter and persistently plotted against her over

life, only to pose as her savior in front of Wilbur and the

venturing out, a decision

d Maren by the kidnappers, Wilbur and the

owly escaped a humiliating spectacle that w

memories, their scheme m

years in the criminal underworld had stripped her of any

Nadia's benefit, Wilbur had shown

er hands and smoothly loosened the ropes that bound he

an act? I'm t

ed with a stark cold

run down their spines at the simpl

r ceased, and her expression hardened. "If that's

swiftly and struck Wilbur acros

verberated around the room, st