th exhaustion. The events of the previous night replayed in my mind like a broken record: James's cold, dismissive stare; Samantha's smug smile; the stranger's cryptic words. I turned to the sid

one wrong?! I was going to make sure that James and Samantha p

dges mocking the chaos of my life. I picked it up, t

is

fingers along the sleek surface. His words had been simple, deliberat

eant. I didn't even kno

n't keep living like this. I

and dialed the number. My heart pounded with each ri

had been expecting my call. "I h

aid you could help me," I replied, trying to keep

Eight o'clock tonight," h

that, the li

of place that reeked of exclusivity, with its polished mahogany, dim lighting, and soft p

of quiet dominance. His gaze locked onto mine as I approached, sharp and unyielding. Last night I had see he had a sharp

standing as I reached the

a choice," I replied, my v

ing for me to sit.

ne I didn't ask for. I hesitated, wrapping my ha

were eavesdropping on my life?" I asked,

nfrontation wasn't exactly subtle," he said smoothly. "An

e like

ipped and cold. "Men who think they can take without

hough I wasn't sure i

erent?" I asked,

es of his face. "I never claim to be a saint, Ms. Pierce.

of his gaze unnerving. "

tone low and deliberate. "It's about what

air between us, hea

" I said, though my vo

betrayed you. He's been siphoning your inheritance with Samantha for a long time, buil

this?" I asked, my voice

darker. "I make it my business to know. James Vale and I have crossed

k, suffocating, but I couldn

asked, my voice steady despi

can help me secure my position and protect my assets. In exchange, I'll ensure James is held accou

rson just sits and randomly wants a fiancee

cise

sound was hollow, bitter. I thought he was joki

have time for this. I thought you had something serious to offer. This was just

o see him fall. Plus because you need to take revenge on Samantha and James because they fooled you from the onset. James never loved you to begin with, he only came int

ouldn't believe my ears. "What .... What are you tal

antha have been in a relationship for long before they decided to swindle your Dad with their plan but since it didn

lan. I was just a pawn in everything. Used and dumped like a rag

I cared to admit. "How can you help with my revenge? And

I need. After that, you'll be free to go-with enough resou

But the image of James, his cruel words, and Samantha's

hink," I said, my

ient. "But don't take too long, Ms. Pierce

aring at the ceiling as Arma

ndependenc

trust a man like Armando? And wh

ach, but one thing was certain:

hone and dialed

id firmly as he p