From Heiress to Outcast

Maya whispered, her v

car in reverse, his tires spitting gravel

as still standing there, watching t

borrowed oversized hoodie and sunglass

n, who gave her the promised envel

a back gate, Julian appeared in

ussing business, his voic

er, his eyes flicking

hone, then paused. "And make sure the caterers for

disguise, her own terror-fu

washed over Maya. His

old room, Maya prepa

es from the ma

slightly ajar do

on were fawning over Ava S

re too, laughing, her arm link

py family, welcoming t

ake, already erased. A sharp

cate porcelain teacup, "stumb

shattering on the polished fl

s!" Ava cried,

the sly glint in Ava's eye

was a

instantly a

Maya, who had instinctively stepped back. "You did this! You're

her nails digging in. "She'

rageous, but delivered

surge of hel

d towards the main doorway where Julian

ttily. "This... this housekeeper... she sta

ed poison, subtly reinfo

ick study in

cold and hard

arance, the broken porcelain,

of this?" he demanded

aya. "She's a menace, Julian!

n said, his gaze dismissing Maya. "But i

ession softening almost imperce

his swift judgment based on Olivia

ake her to the old stables. Lock he

ya. He was condemning

oked distressed

"Let me, Julian darling. I know

ive hand. "Fine. Just

away, a triumphant

f the old, disused stables

ain and again. Kick

livia hissed, her face contorted wi

aya tasted blood. Pain e

on the dusty floor, tr

She wouldn't give Oli

as harsh. "He's mine

usted, Olivia

re until Julian

slammed shut, plungi

nd aching, until conscio