ke water over her skin. Flanked by two massive bodyguards,
ood. She rushed forward, reaching out to Genevieve. "Geneviev
raight past Brigette, her shoulder brushin
twisted into a mask of utter humiliation. A few people
ee. The icy mask on Genevieve's face melted
room, Genevieve threw her arms open and pu
vieve's shoulder. "You took your time," Carlee w
rowd and snapped her fingers at the sound technician in the
a microphone
h the speakers. "I want to formally introduce someone.
the top graduate of Central Saint Martins, and one of
-hitting jewelry executives in the room suddenly leaned in, th
s impossible!" she shrieked, her voice cr
so cold it could freeze blood
ng 3D rendering of a diamond necklace appeared. The cut was impossibly
announced. "And it was designed by the woman standi
ad been mocking Carlee five minutes ago now surged forwar
hey drew blood. She stumbled backward, retreating i
ady. She thanked Genevieve and formally anno
rtment stores boxed her in, shoving their business cards
as glowing, surrounded by people begging for her attenti
typed a rapid message to Denzel: Buy t
r Nirvana exploded immediately, the price sky
in a bidding war, the auctioneer pressed
. "We have a telephone bid from a private buy
a roaring fire of euphoria in her chest. Whoever this mysterious buyer was, they had just handed her the ultimate key to freedom, fully funding her studio for the next two years in a single, god-like stroke. Was it pure admiration for her art, or something d
ion and the buzz of three glasses of champagne hit Carlee's br
shiver. She walked down the curved driveway toward th
She rubbed her arms, l
und garage. A silver Aston Martin rolled up the
window ro
e wheel, his dark ey
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