at was frozen and sharp. The air in the grand lobby seemed to crystallize. The only sound was the slo

corn. They exchanged glances, and a collective, ugly understanding pa

head that formed the handle of his cane, his wrinkled knuckles turning white.

he put on an expression of false sympathy, as

voice. "We know you've been through a lot in th

om, like a snake's whisper. "Maybe he's forgotten. That mone

hispers began to rise from every corner,

mele

hing Aleesha

ere like

against him. This was worse than he had imagined. This

l who had once shared laughter with him under a cherr

oice steady, forcing her to

rrow. "Javon," she said, her voice trembling fakely. "How could you do this to me? In front o

tears. "I thought you had changed, Javon. Bu

ng the facts, painting

ldhood friendship was dead, and on its grav

t-the fact that there was no written contract between us-to den

s if talking about spare change. He stroked the back of Aleesha's hand with a possessiv

give Aleesha more than just jewelry. I can give her a future. The O'Conn

roject' exploded in

ty's largest deve

ent is in th

delweiss family will bec

liver Edelweis straightened his back slight

her breath hitched. "Jav

arrogantly. "Of course. As long as you

exclaimed, striking his

n had become a sacrifice on the

nger suddenly subsided, replaced by a piercin

, a financial genius who was framed and lost everything. "Remember this name, Javon," Yuke had whispered

etrayal. Javon realized this was no longer a coincidence. This wa

reedy noise in the room. A calm, slightly hoarse

g a wheelchair. The woman in the chair was pale and thin, yet in

all of

"Sherly? Why ar

c accident stole her ability to walk five years ago, paid her sister no mind. Sh

Grandfather. Have your memories become so short? Have w

ame and regret. She then turned to Javon, and for the first time

who, on behalf of the family, begged Javon to help us. I was the one who gave him

k a dee

. I will return t