ng, Ariana wok

ootsteps. Just the soft

soft. The air too still. But then her eyes landed on the ring glint

eam blouse and high-waisted trousers. Understa

te of breakfast sat waiting. Fresh

no D

n in his sharp, emo

back late. Do

f course he'd be gone. That's what he did be

she didn't

+

in sunglasses and a scarf, blending into the

as heading downtown-to a quiet, hidden corner of

ween a gallery and a wine bar. Mr. Harris-now grey, older,

oftly. "Or should I

ed. "That name doe

gestured to the small p

Corporation's acquisition of Taylor Tech. Every clause, every loop

're walking a dange

ked throu

stroyed or buried. It's not much... but there's something strange in the financials.

pages, her fingers tighte

didn't recognize. A name that

nor

's mo

ign off on her

s wasn't just business.

per

+

home-sitting in the living room with a glass of whiskey in

ok up. "Prod

the counter. "As produc

op slowly. "You we

Are you trac

d to. You're

not paying close

aying attention. Especially when my wife visi

arms. "I'm allowe

wed to protec

to back down. "Am I yours n

but not with anger-something

playing with matches in

rd. "Then maybe it's

r a long, loaded moment-two

mon turned and walked away, hi

+

brushing her hair slowly, methodically. Her mind

nor

o the media said. The perfect socialite

add up. Why was her n

eople didn't sign contra

dn't died when t

oor pulled her f

on standing there, one ha

gala for Friday. W

eyes. "You just barg

my pen

rms. "And I'm no

g over her face, "you're some

him to say more

ned an

nfusion... and the smallest, m