ed to their penthouse

gala, schmoozing, probab

e opulent rooms, a g

d in Julia

shredded financial statemen

mputer, ones that gave him ac

is life, she either destroyed or packe

closet, she wouldn' t to

ersonal mementos that pre

to be swift

, a

irth certifica

hange, for the new accounts, for Th

box, but Julian had "consolidated"

was for "ease

ow it was

, the one only Julian supp

he code once, during her he

care. But her mind, sharp despit

n. The heavy d

operty deeds, and t

d trust document, one that was part of her independent inheritan

l was with

read fil

go to the f

he' d avoid

igned supreme, and Ava

a monument to old mone

leanor, was in the grand foyer,

should take the jet to Paris

a and her expr

ou be with your husband? He throws you the

usations, the in

m the study, Mother."

d, turning her back. "Unlike Liv, who bri

dn' t

ard it al

d the power to wound,

e now, the soundtra

about to burn

r' s imposing study, tucked away in

er father, Marcus

nd assessing, mi

d about you. Said you

ocument in her han

needed," Ava sai

t you be more like Liv? Open, vibrant. She called earlier, by the way,

ing, just tur

pleading or defense, seem

om me! After everything

ollowed her

ched the front

clinging to his arm, a p

d with feigned relief, but his eyes were hard.

ank goodness. I told Julian you wouldn

Julian' s ar

g Ava how Ethan called me earlier. He' s back in town, you know. He said to s

r of past conquests, al

ze, her own expre

er sister the satisf

s going on? Your parents said you we

the flicker of calculation. He was trying

said, her voice calm, almost

drawn into their