tating a fact. That center is a Sterling Media investment, earmarked as my birthday gift. You had

it. Bella just had a few friends over, a very small, private

ash. "So, my asserting ownership over what is

nsitive soul, Avelia. All this... negativity from you is

future birthday gift to curry favor with another woman? Happy that h

ing, my choice of Leonardo Kingsley – it all felt m

g to leave. "Father knows. There's no

d me. "You actually went to your father? What did you

I told him I've chose

so you finally picked one of us? Who's the lucky

ion in his voi

ol smile on my face. "

shifted from moc

to marry Leona

there was stunned silence. Then, Noah bu

ifornia? The one who can't even get out

owed. "Is this some kind of joke,

t was so absurd it

ey Tech is a giant. Their reach on the West Coast, combined with St

neered. "Or are you planning on a life o

faux horror. "Oh, Avelia! How could you? Marrying someone for.

you're doing, Bella, cozying up to my father's protégés, hoping one of

rd. "Leave Bella out of this. Your cynical choi

e understands the value of a strong alliance. Something you thre

reasoning. The initial shock, then the slow dawning

're right, their tech combined with our media platforms... it could be revolutionary. And if he truly can

an rumored to be impotent, a man in a wheelchair. But the

ad added quietly. "Unlike some others who

tanding dawning. He knew, on some level, the dynamics betwe

edia, of course," he'd said finally. "If you're not ch

heir disdain and Bella's manipulations.