Empire of Thorne

Loraine's mind had not. It

in a soft amber hue. Everyone had retreated to their rooms, their laughter tucked behind expen

really

Wolfe. Hei

ing the last of the dinner reports on her tablet, cross-checking the logistics for the upcomi

tle k

to look up. "I said

r opene

un so tight it could cut diamonds. She carried two glasses, one filled with red wine, the other empty

ow said, already pouring the wi

waved her off. "Tell a st

sement, half pity but obliged. When th

s what you're thinking," she sna

said a word

can't seriously think after everything that Nathan Wolfe

d crossed her legs. "He didn't say

t the waters, then drops the full weight once everyone's adjusted." Lora

w tilted her

Practically raised him even though you are the same age.

d you too, dear, d

silent maid. Loraine took the cup, fingers wrapped tightly around the w

being strategic, but he's not well. If we start giving outsiders the throne no

he illusion of it. There's a difference. The board still holds weight. The Th

ath slowed. That detail

atio

tional. Meani

temporary, it

owly, thinking aloud. "It's

or the Thorne empire if he thin

ed her glass in silent toast.

They began to talk strategy, subtle board nudges, investor persuasio

d the conversation sligh

deliberate. Loraine bl

, her long t

Finalizing the

d. "He's been gone

itated. "He

ve ever known. Years together and

mediately. Her fingers ti

she and Michael fought, they didn't. But it was more like they ope

r when the door burst open ag

re

ing a hand through his m

d. "What part of go to

or behind him. "Look, I know you're mad, but I had

y groveling in front of Nathan like a drun

w, "that I've got another kid on th

s. Heathrow quiet

elling you, if it's a boy, Grandfather might actually give a damn about my opinion.

skey on the tray. She poured it neat an

e muttered. "And I'm still

in. You deserve this. The company. If you play it right, you'll ge

r a long while, letting

was not

she

himself. His other choice w

way of pushing her ha

ward the fireplace. H

ld play her

s attention tonight, but the empi

y or a