Embers and Edict

in another, grateful for the space between them. He hadn't said a word to her since they left his house. Not during the car ride to the airport Not on the private jet. Si

uzzed in he

with a soft sm

live? Did the brooding billion

r family house in Bel Air. Apparently, his mom h

before she shrieked. "Bel Air?! As in mans

. Too beautiful. It doesn't feel real. I feel... out

ur ass off to be here. You're talented. And beautiful, by t

laughed

ad and Mindy

een calling every three days like clockwork.

er cleared his throat. "Ma'am,

she said. "W

Call me if they try to s

hart estate came into view through the tinte

slowly creaked open, revealing an estate so vast and picturesque it looked like it had been painted into the hillside. Rol

glass, a horse stable off in the distance, and-was that a zebra? Bian

took it all in. This place wasn't just luxury-it was fantasy. If Nath

de staircase to the front door as stoic and unr

, the double doors swung open, and out came Lilian Lockhart herself, radiant i

sing both cheeks. She then turned to Bianca, all charm and grace. "We

e at all, ma'am," B

o Albert. She gestured to a man in his 50's standing beside her.

ugh the calm. The sleek white car rolled up to the fountain and stoppe

e slipped off her oversized sunglasses with a single fluid motion, then tossed her cascading dark hair over her shoulder with practi

could take time out of your busy modeling

've killed me if I didn't show up, Mother.

iled at t

ck. "Vi, this is your brother's new chef. Sh

" Bianca said w

eyeing Bianca up and down. "Love your s

ly," Bianca re

n a serum?" Violet

n stepped in. "Well, I'm sure Bianca has a million t

y and gestured for B

e family gathering spans three days. You'll oversee all meals d

nterior. Polished floors, chandeliers, walls adorned

ve belonged in a palace. It reminded her of her room back at Nathaniel's mansion, on

lbert said. "I suggest you get some rest, Miss Bi

and quietly c

f fall back onto the plush bed. Thre