The Cost of Deception

s erupted around me. I ove

s Walton, but he bid uncond

hearts always tr

amily is about

om the crowd stung. I

t and soul into Lucas, but in fro

son, Braely

for this, with i

l, and the bracelet wa

showed interest in was immediate

ed at Lucas's d

yed with in her hands. "Sell me

lynn sneered. "But since you kept his bed warm

out the b

smashed onto the floor,

ng as if someone were stabbing a k

d a fragment under her heel, leaning in with a malicious smile. "I did it on purpose. That bra

I whispered, my vo

oman Lucas loves most. He's marryin

slowly, grabbed a fruit knife fro

" she screame

er cheekbone, drippin

ped the knife, ready to leave, but Braelynn s

natched a small whip from a nearby auctio

ough me, making

raised the whip f

ng?" Lucas's roar thundered

sing it as if to strike her, but froz

It was her! She cut my face with a

Lucas's voice

d it around me, his tone softening completely

t me to the car while he s

me Mr. Morrison. The Phillips family is a business partner, and Miss Phillips is his ch

abou

about me, yet planned

g at the blood on my fingertips,

n. "I'm sorry, Ariella. You attacked her first, and if word got out,

lat, eyes lowered. "Let's

esitating, but eventu

ng out the window, my shoulder b

lashed toward us. A truck ba

next moment, Lucas lunged over,

med aside. Before I blacked out, I saw Lucas,

.

ed, the sharp smell of an

xing when he saw me awake. "Ariella, you

oving stiffly, my voice ho

e one I cherish most. I failed to protect

ruffling my hair. "Rest up. I'll

zzed. I picked it up and s

e auction house's seco

My face is ruined because of her.

een with me for three years. I can't

ming down. "Really, Lucas? Y

ething complex, but he nodd

're getting married soon. After the wedding, you'll kick her o

d. "Fine, I

re. Do this-stage a brake failure later, steer toward the appraiser's stand, a

r a moment before s

ideo