ating faster. Before she could respond, he stepped closer with his hands

outside," she said, tryin

e. Would you like to

he looked into his eyes. "I

e numbers," he said,

tement of the evening was all around them as Sylvania looked toward the

iend's leaving," Sy

ded, smiling. "I'll

e gave him one last look before headin

stopped to congratulate her. "Congratulation

were amazing,"

ng as she continued walking, thou

tightly. "You were amazing tonight!" Vivian s

a said, smiling. "I'm

for a moment, looking back toward the garden. Russell was still watching her. When h

nning Best Fashion Designer of the Year for the secon

guard waved as he opened it. Sylvania parked in the garage

laughed, kneeling to pet him. Coco

er. The warm water felt so good after her long day. Once she dried off, she put on

Sylvania sai

in! I'm so proud of you," her mother, Ca

It still feels

ounding a bit sad. "I'm sorry we couldn't be th

"It's okay, Mom. I know

k to you," Catherine s

er, Morgan, said hap

, Dad. Ho

about mobsters and that fire at the Abibba building,

d, it's fine. Everyt

n said, sounding concerned. "The c

Dad. Don'

a pause. "I'll let you

Dad. Lo

e care of yourself, sweetheart. You're

ling touched. "I wil

ght, da

night

ft light from her lamp made the room feel warm. Her eyes rested on the shiny gold

nning over the smooth edges. The cool metal felt real

eally did it," she tho

rby. She looked tired, but also proud. A smile formed

s... all the hard wor

membering the long hours, the stress, and t

sed her eyes, allowing herself to

gain, she whispered, "Th

a message from Russell: "Goodnight..

back: "Goodnight, Russell.

turned off the lights and threw herself on the bed. As she lay down, she though

penthouse, lighting up the marble floor. The air smelled of cigar smo

ping his fingers slowly on the armrest. His

pected Victor to fight back after his men took everything from Abibba Bui

hould I burn one of his casinos? Or put a bullet in one of his men?" His jaw t

s the wind from the window brushed against it. Zagaff sighed and reached f

INS BEST FASHION DE

en, scanning the articl

ling, holding a gold medal in her hands. Her eyes were filled with happiness.

ing anymore. His eyes

r the first time in a long w

closer. He traced a finger along the edg

ul... and untouchable."

d stop it. "I should meet he

ed a man with power. Someone who could protect her, give

nother thought hit him

or M

ne, he would use it against him. Victor didn't just attack his enem

is jaw. He knew t

it back on the table. His fingers rested

after her. It w

chair, arms crossed, he couldn'

bed, her thoughts on Amanda. Ever since Anita had arrived two days ago, Amanda hadn't ment

ughts. "Auntie Anita, breakfast i

," she answere

room. Amanda, her husband Tony, and Danny were already seated. A chai

g, sis," Ama

ita replied,

oftly, "Let's say grace." They all bowed

was the clink of forks. Anita watc

"You can talk about

"I don't know if I

said, "Danny, take you

id, grabbing his thin

ed. "It happened so fast, Ani

d down at the table, as if she was

all of a sudden, the screen just went black and white. It was like someone had switched it off." She paused, and at that time Anita and Tony exchanged concerned lo

holding guns; pointing them at us. I could hear them shouting, telling everyone not to move. They said to put our hands up... I

table, angered by what Amanda had gone through. Both of them were silent, not wanting t

ew I had them, but they did. My hands were shaking so badly; I could barely think. But I reached into the drawer, trying not to make any sudd