al. She couldn't. Without money, signin
er East Side townhouse. Her wet clothes clung to her freezing skin
r open. The heavy
clinking of fine china and low
na f
da, said. Her voice was shrill, dripping with fake sympathy. "You can't keep
od by the marble fireplace. He did
ed, I'm cutting the payments to t
red leather sofa across f
n. You sign this affidavit stating Alaina is mentally unstable and unfit to manage her grandfather's estate. I take over the tr
o hard she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep fror mother's life for
swung her heavy, wet canvas bag and sla
k echoed thro
ea sloshed over the rim of her bone-chin
when he saw his daughter dripping rainwater on
ard Alaina. He put on a mask of deep concern, reaching out to grab her h
hand away. The sm
k, her chest heavin
om's life support? For a real estate deal?
at her face. "You selfish brat. This family is going bankrupt. That
sneered, dabbing at the tea stain w
y. The betrayal burned away her fe
ight to the gla
e was doing a second
ripped it down the middle. The sound of tearing paper was deafening in the quiet room. She tore
d down onto his
. If you don't give me that formula, I will make sure no biotech firm in t
o ash before I let you
nd, his palm flying
her father's wrist mid-air. Her grip wa
e," Alaina said, her voice dropping to a de
ay. Warren stumbled b
ards!" Bren
sprinted toward th
raincoats-the same men from the alley-stepped out fro
om and slammed the door. She twisted the lock and shoved her shoulder against h
door. The wood splint
er her bed and dug her fingernails into the
mall, heavy iron box wra
grandfather's life's wor
pen. A large hand reached
r sweater, pressing the cold metal against her bare stomach. S
ed agains
inage pipe attached to the brick exterior, and slid down into
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