va, their steps measured, l

und them, sensing d

his voice dripping with condesc

othes, a sneer playing on her lips. "Sti

ands clenching into fists a

Liam asked, his tone falsely jovial.

arb. "I' m just

oison. "Or perhaps looking for a handout? We hear thin

ar: they assumed she wa

s eyes doing a slow, in

ll hear. "My company is expanding. I might have an opening. Something simple, of cour

ookers

old anger ri

said, her voice steady. "I

brow. "Still waiting for Prince Charming, ar

rds out before she could stop

of si

changed a quick,

out laughing. A

cal librarian in whatever forg

igh-pitched and cruel. "Oh, Av

sociates who had gathered, chuc

ng, but Ava hel

clear and firm, cutting through th

ading her space. "Does this 'wonderful man' hav

tively went to the

t. Her symbol o

said, her fingers closing

pecial about this mystery man? Can he even afford to take you to a place like this?"

wanted to do this, to bring Julian

ce, their cruelty

t out on her palm. The platinum gle

husband," she said. "H

there was st

of industry, a figure of almost mythical success and in

upted, louder and mor

th in his eyes. "Julian Thorne? The Ju

rich! She' s completely lost it! Julian Thor

stalker!" one of Li

et!" another chimed in.

u' re trying to cause trouble, aren' t you? Trying to sabotage Liam' s suc

hilling fear. This was escalating,

she insisted, her v

d ugly. "The truth? You wouldn' t kn