The Heiress's Choice

de, the air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and aged whiskey, the murmurs of New York's elite blending into a sonata of wealth and influence. Tonight was supposed to be just a

anning the room with sharp precision. Near the center was my father, James Thompson-commanding, composed, surrounded by men who wh

there was Liam Chen, lingering too close to the board members, his smile measured, his stanc

legal confidante, slid beside me,

nning a murder," Rachel m

ng my glass down. "If I

chel tilted her chin toward my father, who was leaning in to sp

ned. "What are th

ow. But I don't like the way Victo

cut through the noise like a w

with the quiet arrogance of a man who was used to owning everything he touched.

moothly, masking my irri

epping closer. "We run in the same

rse, h

erved, his gaze flicking to

am, I can assure you,

ere for small talk." He leaned in slightly and brushed a finger

h silenced the room. My head snapped toward the source of

efest second. Victor Lang placed a firm hand on his shoulder, speaking low a

reamed that som

reach my father, Liam intercepted

here?" he as

" I sn

der, but his smirk remained. "Easy no

Unless you want me to

reful, Annette. You don't even kn

n my spine. Before I could demand answer

ho never showed weakness,

red, barely catching himself on a nearby chair

heels clicking sharply against

ther's face drained of color. Victor was stepping

tching him before he hit the floor. "Stay with me,"

the only thing that came out was a ragged breath. Then his eyes

but all I could hear was the sound

chaos like a knife. "Prepare yourself, Annette,"

is words when Rachel grabbed m

ette, I just checked something-your father had a full medical checkup

aught. "You

k. And someone her

suddenly felt like a mask hiding a dangerous secret. My father

I turned to find Liam watch

fully," he said smoothly. "The

f you had anything to

iatingly casual. "Oh, Annette. You

der appeared at my side. "You ne

your father's empire.

'm not just going to st

awing my attention back to him. "