ressing suite lay a scen
ubusson carpet; handcrafted hangers littered mahogany
stian Louboutin heels. She held aloft the priceless champagne‑toned silk‑tulle haute‑couture gown - the
snapped toward her terrified stylist. "Jennie is a starving
g around his silver cane. "That gown was hand‑stitched exclusively for
cking its casing. "Know your place, you decrepit old servant! My brother practically owns this rotti
ta...
shallow, face drained of all color, horror fil
ceps in sneering amusement. "Well look who finally dragged herself out o
from Jennie, sharp index‑finger j
an replace you with a snap of his fingers. Have you read this morning's news? He already found a Colum
, spine slamming against door‑frame. She clutche
, utter despair written across her features. "Only spare this champagne gown. Father spent
us a senile old man!" Donita snarled. She seized the d
rr
shoulder seam, exposing hand‑
sterpiece onto floor and ground her shoe across its he
ing hands over torn fabric as if tending a wounded
ating thud of reinforced hinges, followed by synchronized c
ward hallway. "Miss Cannon... somebod
ined supremacy, Donita snatched a half‑full iced‑tea glass off vanity and ma
ed in he
‑story rotunda turne
ng light stood eight black‑suited tactical security operatives,
ath main chandel
to slice glass. Rimless gold spectacles caught cold sunlight obscuring his eyes, yet terri
portfolio, gazing upon Donita with
slipped out o
as
tins. Her knees turned to water. Within insulated New‑York‑wealth circles B
opping three octaves, arrogance melting into
ing his head, deep‑grey eyes locked
aritone bounced off marble walls, c
buttal, a soft broken sound echoed from
e gown pressed tight to her chest. Her ivory sweater sat askew,
sobbed, voice tremblin
de foyer plummet
tered ripped silk, bruised collarbone and utter devastation upon her fa
rand spiral marble staircase, l
nocking over bronze Roman‑senator bust. "Mr. Sears wait! It was not
ost. His overcoat brushed against her dress,
paces in fro
hard dangerous line, Antone's deep voice carrie
ndkerchief I gav
g neatly folded charcoal‑bordered silk square. "Here
fingers firmly closing around her
te gesture, her face turning chalk‑whit
n. She enjoyed personal prote
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