Betrayed By Her Spiritual Facade

The shock had solidified into a cold, hard resolve in his chest. Ser

ea who she wa

The kind, naive Ethan Miller was dead. The man who sat there now was the one who had

lind, but now

file on his computer labeled "Strategic Alliances." He scrolled thr

er a few times at industry events. She was sharp, intelligent, and carried an air of quiet confidence that he h

as th

was late, but he knew she worked

g, her voice calm and clear. "

pologize for the late hour. I have a proposal. A merger of interests. I'm prepared to offer y

s a very generous offer, Mr. Miller. Aggressive

als," Ethan replied. "I need a partner I can trust implicitly.

etween the lines. "I see," she said, a hint of understanding in her tone. "Send me the

was building a new empire, one Seraphina

Her voice was the same honey-sweet tone he had once

ful meditation session yesterday. I feel so cleanse

. Ethan played along, his voice a mask of warmth. "I

me again last night. The Blackwood Group needs another cash infusion to acquire that new shipping line.

ry money. It was an insultingly large amount, a clear test of his cont

said smoothly. "I'l

cold, humorless laugh. They really

et Seraphina. Her grandfather, the patriarch Mr. Blackwood, had invited him t

s from that disaster with Liam Stone... it was remarkable. Seraphina is a sensitive girl. She was deeply

e approval of her family, that he' d agreed to an informal arrangement. He would be their benefactor, their i

or what it was: a contract. He was an asset, not a person. He was

re, wiring away his hard-earned money to prop up their lavish lifestyle, all while believing he was supporting the woman he

the trans

would not get