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up, her pilot uniform crisp and stark against the gilded excess of the living room. She hadn't changed out of it deliberately. She wanted them to see it-the symbol of the life she
a delicate porcelain teacup. Her eyes, cold and calculating, dragged
oice slicing through the quiet. "Y
She didn't blink. She just stood there, her hands
ink. "Yours? You have nothing here. Except, perhaps, a debt." She leaned back, crossing her legs. "T
meet Elianna's eyes. "Julian Cromwell was in an accident," Meredith said, her voice trembling.
. The woman who had stood by and done nothing six years ago. "Understa
etween two fingers. "Don't forget how you left. Commercial espionage. Industrial theft. I have the evidence right here. One phone call, and yo
it down. Her face remained a mask of stone. Another lie. Another chain they th
the sofa, taking a step toward Elianna, her eyes glittering with malice. "You're
n the roo
wned out the ticking of the grandfather clock. Her hands curled into fists so tig
Her boots were silent on the rug, but
acked. She took a half-step back, h
rushing forward.
ance that froze Meredith exactly where she stood. He
looked down at the older woman, her eyes dead and dangerous. "You can call me a thief. You can call me a liar. You c
ghtly. She tried to summon her authority, straightening her spine
o warmth. She didn't move a muscle, but the promise of violenc
had left six years ago was gone. The woman standing before her was something
illing intent receded, replaced by an icy calm. "It seems you've forgotten," Elianna said, her tone conversational, "about
r. The paper in her hand shook v
planes?" Elianna asked, her voice dripping with
n. Genevieve's jaw was clenched so tight a
don't like repeating myself.
r had shifted completely. Genevieve
rned and practically ran for the stairs, he
e. The older woman stared at her, a mix of hatred and terr
eye contact to pull out her phone. It was a secure me
The message was brief. A co
o her pocket and looked up,
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