Bound by billonaires hidden agenda

ia's

g letter from the bank in my shaky hands. I skimmed it again, as if somehow the words would change

gallery buzzed with Manhattan's elite tonight-sipping champagne, tossing out opinions about art they probably didn't under

, I was barel

unning tonight," Mr. Harper, a middle-aged

replied, forcin

ded casually, which I knew meant,

eels carry me to another group of guests

room shifted. Conversati

s to the entrance, an

Blac

apart businesses for sport. And now, he was walking into

of demanding attention without trying. Even the way he adjuste

ell was he

ugh the air as he made his way toward

, I forgot h

ing on my most professional smile

ould start wars. "But I heard this gallery w

eople, and then back to me. He wasn't admiring anything.

tone even, "I hope you find

his smirk deepening. "I don't usu

face. Did he just call

ered to come," I shot back,

your spirit, Ms. Hart. Most people

I replied, folding my a

longer than they should have, and then he

walked away, leaving me

uldn't. The elites in this room were my last hope for keeping the ga

layed on a loop in

silent. The glow of the evening had long since

t he'd called it, ri

breath. My father's voice echoed in my head, t

our legacy, Sophia

mon right? Was I clinging

irst. When they finally registered, my heart jumped, and

, Ms.

t v

y, hands in his pockets,

g here?" I snapped, unab

avy in the empty room. "I thought

abou

t there was something unsettling in his

to steady my racing heart.

me. "Let's just say I have a propo

oom, taking in the artw

car for you s

urned and walked away, leavi

e everything"? And why did I get the feeling I w

. Whatever was coming, it felt like the beginning of t