Chapter 31 Chapter 31: “Is this seat taken p> Ethan Vance slid into the chair next to her before she could answer. He pushed a large coffee toward her. “Double-shot espresso. No sugar,” he said. “You look like a zombie p> Skye looked at the coffee. She needed it. “Peace
Chapter 30 Chapter 30: She stormed into Liam’s office at the Manor. “You moved her into a penthouse?!” Seraphina screamed. “You told me she was kicked out! You told me she was living in a dorm p> Liam looked up from his paperwork. “What p> “Look!” Seraphina shoved the phone
Chapter 29 Chapter 29: “The distraction worked,” Skye said. “Arthur is terrified. He thinks I’m calling the SEC. While he’s panicking, move the Sterling Trust assets to the offshore account. Now p> “Done, Miss Sterling,” the banker replied. Skye hung up. She looked back at the Manor. She had used
Chapter 28 Chapter 28: “I have bank statements!” Arthur threw a stack of papers down. “Look! Transfers! To ‘Oracle Holdings p> Skye’s heart skipped a beat. Oracle Holdings. He had found the name. But he didn’t know she was Oracle. She picked up the papers. They were indeed transfers. But
Chapter 27 Chapter 27: “You’re late,” he said. Skye didn’t look up. She turned a page. “Studying p> “Did the birthday girl enjoy her cake?” she asked. Her voice wasn’t mocking. It was just… indifferent. Liam walked over to the drink cabinet and poured himself a whiskey. “It was too
Chapter 26 Chapter 26: “I thought we agreed to keep expenses reasonable,” Liam said, walking to the table. “The board is watching my spending p> Seraphina’s face fell. She pouted. “But it’s my birthday! Don’t be mean p> They sat down. The dinner was a disaster. Seraphina talked about a
Chapter 25 Chapter 25: It was 9:00 PM on a Friday. There was no board meeting. “It’s her birthday, isn’t it?” Skye asked quietly. Liam froze. He looked at her, his eyes wide. “I saw the receipt for the diamond bracelet on the joint account before you hid it,” Skye
Chapter 24 Chapter 24: “Well, well,” Aunt Petunia chirped, her voice dripping with acid. “If it isn’t the happy couple. We heard rumors, Skye. Going back to school? Is the allowance Liam gives you not enough for shopping p> A few cousins nearby snickered. Skye opened her mouth to retort,
Chapter 23 Chapter 23: “I’m a Sterling,” Skye corrected. “Run along p> Tiffany turned and practically ran away. “Feisty p> Skye turned. Ethan Vance was leaning against the doorway of the exam hall. He had followed her out. He wasn’t wearing his sunglasses now. His eyes were blue, sharp, and
Chapter 22 Chapter 22: He leaned in, trying to read her answer. He was actually smart—hidden beneath the playboy facade—but he was lazy. He recognized genius when he saw it. Skye sensed him. Without breaking her rhythm, she shifted her left arm, blocking his line of sight perfectly. Thirty minutes
Chapter 21 Chapter 21: The doors banged open. Ethan Vance strode in. He was ten minutes late. He walked with a swagger that suggested he owned the building, chewing his gum with an obnoxious, rhythmic smack, smack, smack. The proctor, a stern woman with glasses, glared at him. “Name p>
Chapter 20 Chapter 20: “I said no,” Skye repeated. She pulled her arm free with a sharp jerk. “I am reclaiming the life I threw away for you, Liam. I am not your accessory. I am not your child. I am a Sterling p> She straightened her trench coat. “Watch
Chapter 19 Chapter 19: “Read them p> “Well,” Lee hesitated. “She… she graduated summa cum laude. Top one percent of her class. She was the president of the Debate Society and the captain of the Chess team p> Liam froze. The air in the office seemed to thin. He had
Chapter 18 Chapter 18: She turned and went back inside. Mrs. Higgins, the housekeeper, entered with a tray of dessert. She looked at the empty chair at the head of the table with a frown of disapproval. “Mr. Kensington won’t be returning for dessert?” Mrs. Higgins asked stiffly. Skye sat
Chapter 17 Chapter 17: He tossed a manila folder onto the wrought-iron table between them. “How are the ribs?” he asked, his tone shifting from playful to serious. He scanned her posture, noting the way she held herself stiffly. “Manageable,” Skye replied quietly. “Thanks to you pulling me out of
Chapter 16 Chapter 16: He stood up abruptly. His thigh hit the table, knocking over his glass of Cabernet. The red wine spilled across the pristine white tablecloth, spreading like a fresh gunshot wound. “I’m coming,” Liam said into the phone. “Don’t move. I’ll be there in twenty minutes p>
Chapter 15 Chapter 15: He checked his watch, a heavy platinum Patek Philippe, for the third time in two minutes. He pulled at his collar, as if the tie were a noose. Skye sat at the opposite end, ten feet of polished wood separating them. The distance felt appropriate. It
Chapter 14 Chapter 14: Liam swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. He looked like he was about to vomit. He couldn’t admit he knew about the bomb without admitting he had left her there. He was trapped in his own cowardice. “How?” he rasped. “How did you get out p>
Chapter 13 Chapter 13: But she didn’t pull away. She nodded, her eyes wide and watery. “Yes, Grandmother,” Skye lied. “I understand. I will focus on my duties. And my… education. To be a better support to him p> Beatrice waved a dismissive hand. She interpreted education as a cooking
Chapter 12 Chapter 12: “I thought it was a good investment,” Skye stammered, keeping her gaze on the rug. “I wanted to contribute. I wanted to show Liam that I could help build the family legacy p> “Build?” Beatrice scoffed. She leaned forward, the hawk-headed cane pointing accusingly at Skye.