The Heiress Who Refused to Be a Pawn

the sterile scent of the hospi

overheard confession w

d fury settle

ame in, Ava's

my father's proteges, for that matter. Only my f

d, nodded. "Of cour

nd a burning desire

ion of playing the concerned guardian a

rived, his handsome face

large bouquet of lilies-of

what happened. Are you

edside, his blue e

l smile. The first genuine one in days. "Just

reminder that not all men w

id, gently taking her hand. "You d

erything and nothing, distracting her

the fall, simply accepted her br

vering support

looking at him, "I'v

n eyebrow.

Her gaze was distant for a moment. "I

ll make mistakes, Ava. The impo

dom cut throug

em. He was honest

ith Carter was

a good man who genu

to the vipers she

rbilt townhouse in Manhattan, her leg propped up, a

nter-offensive, her mind sharp a

Vanderbilt, Mr. Ethan Bla

"I told the staff I

tent, miss. He s

er. What did he want now? T

r voice like ice. "But tel

ce, to look him in the e

oom, his expression

mall, tasteful

to hear you were s

said, her voice flat

by table. "Just wanted to se

"The doctors said it was a clean

isy was br

as if he hadn't been t

her father's personal assi

on catalogue you requested. And a rem

"Thank you,

public display. Another opportu

to turn t

as a glittering affair, held in

d accompanied by Carter,

hed, but her res

he room. Lily was clinging to Ethan

es hovered nearb

ar of the Atlantic," a legendary sapphir

ted it. Not for its bea

as presented, a hus

dding was fierce, quickly cli

ide Ethan, let out a s

ering, loud enough for those

er seen. But of course, I wouldn't dream of compe

weet, laced wit

tightened o

ened. He looked at Lily

she thought would be the winn

is voice cold and determined, dr

yone, includin

"Sold! To Mr.

rprise went th

l smile on his lips. He took the m

ringing through the silent roo

ily, who gasped, her eyes wide w

d Ethan's neck. "Oh, Eth

declaration of his devotion to Lil

ace she wanted, for Lil

n for his grand gesture, others with sy

to her face. The humilia

et them win. No

was a rare P

rter, her voice tight wit

it. She would bid

xed on the auctioneer, ignoring th

er. "Allow me, Ava. It would be my honor." He ra

d. Ava nodded at

s behalf, made a bold, ostentatious "all-in" b

ng twice..." the

he unth

to the auctioneer,

ed his throat, a flu

n. There appears to be an issue. M

the room. Noah's f

he stammered. "Try Mi

ded over her own hi

nt swiped i

ic. "I'm very sorry, Miss Vanderbilt