nn

ear to ear. Dozens of heads across the bullpen snapped in his

I said, rising prom

ouse earlier this morning, my patience for imposi

s voice carrying effortlessly across the open floor. "The delegation roster for Cont

ered calmly, offe

ith only twelve months at the firm to secure an international slot, I knew I would instantly become a target of

nergized by the rare breakthrough for junior talent, while the senior veterans scowled in bitter resentment. Many had

g my head down and quietly org

from my personal termin

ee tonight? Let us go c

man was truly invincible, whispering sweet nothings to his

"Sounds w

Social Matrix account, and set the privacy permissions

"Five years, uncha

tress took the bait

and I are heading to the cinema tonight too. What

the screen, tossed the device into

afternoon, the floor

down at the street below. There stood Nolan Price beside his pol

was laugha

ire. His father had always vehemently opposed our engagement due to my modest family background, openly favoring Audrey's pedigree i

arbuds in, and dialed Nolan's number. Skimming through a digital

syrupy-sweet tone into my voice, plastering a fake smile

he theater first, and I will be there shor

ton

on, we had taken the high-zone express car down from the penthouse.

pped forward, resting his hand against t

tside in the corrido

less earbuds tucked into her ears. She was so entirely absorbed in her

ng with honeyed, theatrical warmth. "You head over to the theater firs

atching her through th

able sounded soaked in counterfeit sweetness, delivered w

rd on his lower lip, desper

nue after the gala. I knew precisely what kind of game she was playing, but watchin

mic, completely oblivious to our presence. "Our CEO is an

twitch pulled at th

ucking v

ronze wall, his shoulders vibrati

line, she casually lifted her eyes from her tabl

died in he

collided squar

agnificent. The color drained from her cheeks in an instant, and she ya

ton..." sh

I answere

uring with his eyes for her to step inside

car, and backed herself straight against the far wall, puttin

scent of her freesia lingered in the filtered air, stir

Designer Sterling?" I asked, k

ncts firing before her filter could engage. "I am s

equire as

eplied, squeezing out anot

e, staring fixedly at the ceiling to k

imed at the eig

marketing and communications division crowded into the car, the

rear handrail, her shoulder brushing dangerously c