Time of the Avenger
f brushes, paint-stained cloths, and coffee cups full to half. Every stroke of her brush was deliberate, weighted with the r
of writing give her the traction she needed to uncover the secrets of her father's business? Or w
hen Sophie received an un
reeted her, smooth and assured.
ed in the other. "It's going well," she attempted to keep her voice
ed. "But I have an offer for yo
ated. "I sup
replied. "It's a small gathering-some business associates, a
d in surprise
alize, maybe even pick up future commissions. And I'd like to
rther into his world, but this was exactly the kind
Sophie fi
d. "My driver wil
et, gazing at her reflected self with a beseeching
r hand, raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with the bla
, but this isn't just any dinner party. It's Ethan
pression, huh? You mean on
exasperatedly, thro
the red dress. It's bold, elegant, and
too much thought. She emerged from her building in the red dress, her hair loo
ills, with tidy gardens and glinting softly in the lights of the night
immaculately, looking every inch the powerful billionaire that he wa
" he said, holding
then slipped her arm through it,
tal glasses and sparkling silver. Dozens of friends congregated in the adjacent room
maining on the top of her back. "This is Sophie Cl
litely as she welcomed strangers
aned to the side as he looked at her. "An artis
," Sophie replied. "I try to convey
ryly. "And what underlying emoti
le as the room fell suddenly silent, t
hesitation, and then she smiled. "Ambition. Curios
h, and Ethan's hold on her shoulder relax
lowed easily, from art to business to world travel. Ethan's attention never wavered
han whispered, leaning forwa
nt?" Sophie asked,
nching. "Not everybody can keep up in this t
adapt," Sophie sa
a blank sheet of paper. "Adaptation is a valuable skill. But it p
, she was bare. But she regained quick
u the same ques
hed into a gentl
Ethan walked Sophie to the car waiting outside. The a
voice softer than it had previously been. "I d
suspicion. "I'm happy to have the oppor
nerable crossing his handsome face before it disappeared.
erely nodded as the driver open
ng. Ethan Hayes was proving to be more complicated than she had anticipated