BENEATH THE CONTRACT BRIDE

re of a mausoleum - cold, empty and full of memories he preferred to ignore. But tonight, as he entered through the

from the study even before he had go

d for someone: he demanded. The once-mighty titan of industry, now retired but still c

ioned from the very wood of the tree it had sprung from, a picture of power octogenarian. His sharp bl

er?" Adrian asked

t across the desk. "C

from some independent site he vaguely recognized. The bold headline screamed: "Cr

ly printed letters, was

ut it could rouse public mistrust. In tone, it was sharp, direct, and lac

," Adrian said before p

any idea what this might do to our reputation? You may think you're above it all, but

ted his tee

mess thing, maybe try to utilize some of the charm you inherited from yo

is heel and left, his father's prese

r blouse during the morning scramble of trying to shove her laptop into her bag; the subway ride to work was a night

ospect of returning to work on the CrossTech story. She had leads to follow, angles t

ht of her coworkers whispering in clusters,

n, the receptionist, who looked lik

Lauren whispered, her voi

rozen.

, carefully glancing toward the closed door of the editor-in-chief. "And

mach churn. This

pened into Mr. Hanley's office, and there appeared Adrian Cross towe

mething flickered in his gaze, anger even more, and then he walke

ley's voice broke

s office, where he paced like

ity just charged in here threatening legal action?" snapped

nked. "H

. "And he made it very clear that if we don't, he'll bury this p

d. "But he can't do t

ey slammed the paper down on his desk. "As of

nley's eyes told her the argument was a lost cause

turned to her while he waited for the doors to

her voice sharper

ned cool,

Emma demanded as she stopp

to drop the subject,

innocent, why go to such

orners of Adrian's lips. "Because I don't have the luxury

u can't just silence people because

ut not without protest. "I didn't silence you, Ms. Clarke. I

have nothing to hide," Emma said, glaring at him, her

k business card from his p

is voice low and deliberate. "Uh, you wa

when the doors opened and then closed behind him, leavi

down, and the embossed Cross

n's words spiraled through her thoughts. Something bothered him-that someth

ng to keep the life he had built, and of Sophia, who d

got to her apartm

f tomorrow and though the truth he wou