d her eyes, but the image of the green Bentley was burned onto the back of her eyeli
afford to thi
anking app. The balance was terrifyingly low. A credit card payment was due i
imary caregiver, was waiting. A gentle, po
ndle it," she typed b
ng splash of water. There was no room for shame or
asked the driver, her voice raspy
nodded, cha
a portfolio report for a new client due by morning. Work wa
ass-and-steel tower. She got out, t
em. It didn't pull over. It slid silently past, turning the corner and me
seat, Damarcu
y, her silhouette small and defiant against the bright, empty s
ton shifted uncomfortably. The triumph
or something?" she asked, h
e driver, his voice flat. "Frank, yo
. She was smart enough not to argue. She gathered her purse
er with practiced efficiency. The Bentley was once aga
ed on the office building. His knuckles tapped a restl
A text from his
. Age 38. Divorced. No children. Clean record. Mod
pen the attachment. The doc
uction results, and market trends. Here, she was competent. Here, she had value. She was hunting for undervalued pieces, co
was past midnight when the landline on her
lurching. Who would be cal
the
m, familiar. Feli
rprised. "I'm sorry,
ntle amusement in his voice. "I saw your office ligh
ross the street.
up the Sterling
was a pause. "Actually, I'm glad I caught you. My executive assistant, Li
nner with a potential partner. The CEO of Sterling &
.. atmosphere. Bringing a thoughtful, intelligent associate would b
A social event. Playing a
ng her hesitation. "But your insight on his collection would be a great
n the air betwe
oat. She needed that money.
e said, her voice sounding m
night. Elysian Club. My office will arrange
the details
lub. A place she hadn't set foot in since
The money. It
k to her computer, a new, sharp sense of d
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