BILLIONAIRE REDEMPTION

he Batt

ing at the mural the teenagers had worked on. The colors seemed more vivid in the morning light, the orang

wasn't enough. S

s with local businesses, art auctions-anything that might help her raise the money to buy more ti

lling her from her t

said brightly. "Any new

working on it. I'm putting toge

a suggested. "Fancy people love spending

l think about it. What about you? An

," Mia said. "We should h

on't know what I'

Mia said teasingly. "Now go save

felt a flicker of hope. It was

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previous day. The art studio had unsettled him in a way he couldn't quite explain. He told himse

is waiting in the conference room,"

rtly. "I'll be th

meeting, his phone buzzed with a t

h today? Do

ould get away with demanding his time. He replied wit

rsuit of success. But as the other executives droned on, Dominic found his mind

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and guarded, Elena was warm and open. She greeted him with a wide smile as

studying him over the rim of he

king?" Dominic rep

o enjoy life once in a while. Speaking of which, I

ightened. "Who

lena said, smirking. "

c said tersely. "I

ecause you're known for taking such a perso

He hated how easily Elen

r skin, maybe it's worth looking closer.

spection," Dominic said, his

firmly. "Before you lo

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iends and supporters of the studio. They gathered in the main room, sit

of the studio's regular volunteers. "We could invite local

down. "It could also be a chance to sho

ising auction," Mia added. "Ge

's start reaching out to artist

ude for the people around her. They believed in the stud

His presence at the studio had been unsettling, but there had been something

g to dwell on it. She had more

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ing was dark and quiet, but the faint glow of the mural was visible through the fro

dparents in Brooklyn. Life had been simpler then-full of color and possibility. But th

urned to see Sophia stepping out, her arms f

d, her tone wary. "Wha

same," Dominic repl

Sophia said pointed

in what might have bee

re looking for reasons to shut this p

ing down," Dominic said, hi

en motive she was sure must be there. But

eally here?" s

n't know why he was there, only that the studio had stirred something in him he

frustration and curiosity. Dominic Moretti was a man of contradictions, an

the battle for the st

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