didn't

like a drumbeat in her ears. "I'm not going to ask again,

e back of the leather armchair as if bracing himself. "Because E

usiness dealings? What k

my tech subsidiaries. Quiet investments, through

"My mother's a socialite. She barely knows h

an you think," Ad

always been controlling, yes. Demanding, polished, and image-obsessed.

is," Olivia said, more

n't supp

ked. "What

. "Your mother is calculated. Everything she does serves

?" Olivia asked, tr

g to face her. "She tried to

ve to do with me?" Olivia ask

"She wanted something. I refused. She

doesn't make sense. I didn't even know you u

n stilled. "Are yo

"What are y

wasn't entirely as ac

nything!" she shout

y. "But that doesn't mea

ped. "What did she want from you? And

e wanted control. Over a seat on my board. Sh

off?" Olivia s

say yes. He

ink she planned all this? That she somehow arranged for us to me

e," Adrian replied. "But she's

t now? You think I'm part of some l

. "I don't think

not an

only one

erratic. Everything about her life had started to feel like a lie. She'd worked so hard to build somet

hy didn't you tell me this fro

w much you knew. I needed

challenged. "Wh

her. "I think you're caught in the mid

er she wanted, but i

ed between them

There's a file I th

?" she as

a drawer built into the bookshelf. From it, he p

ded it

he asked, not rea

eetings and some recorded conversations. Som

him. "Why would

ess with them. And I've been doing bu

ng again as she flipped it open. Page after page, her mother's name appeared; s

as co

otog

ant. Across from a man. The photo was blurry, but

ognized

Her voice

ing her closely.

Mr. Lambert. He's... he was

ion didn't chang

have to do wit

veral times after your father passed. And the dates line up w

sore subject. Her mother had insisted everything was above

ou implying

ully. "But there are gaps and inconsistencies.

older slowly. He

alk to her,"

t to, I won't stop you. But don't exp

muttered. "I need to he

"Then I'll have the

up. "You're

family, Oliv

once and st

an's car, folder in hand, driving through the crowd

. She just knew she couldn't sit back and not do anything. She couldn't just t

t of the building, she took

esk. "Olivia Carter. I'

range look. "Miss Carter.

e didn't say anythi

't go out. She... she m

said, her voice

he movers in just after su

was s

ve a forward

head. "Said i

stood

er had v