The CEO'S Rejected Heir

ears from behind the closed, mahogany double doo

Unmist

d by a high, breathy whimper that I

dinner invitation feeling ridiculously flimsy in my hand. I was supposed to knock, present the invitation, and wait for Jason to grace us with his presence at the dining ta

ret crush on Jason Thorne, the man who treated me

d. It was weak. It was the only thing I hadn't managed

ind the world that I was nothing more than an adopted stray brought in by his overly sentimental mother, Anna Thorne. He ne

quired to be a true Thorne. I didn't have the killer instinct; I didn't naturally crave power or the blood of a co

aightened my clothes and adjusted the expression

fact that she had just been sharing a bed-or maybe the floor, given the enthusiasm-with Jason. Her eyes, usually col

syrupy malice. "Don't bother. Whatever deal you're trying to pitch is

tion-the charitable wing of the corporation, the place Jason scornfully referred to as the "pi

didn't have the energy to fight a battle I was doomed to lose. But Stephanie wasn't finish

suite to show. Then, with a speed and fury that belied her polished exterior, she gr

ink wearing those tailored suits makes you one of us? You're nothing. Just a placeholder until Jason

uggling, fury beginning to simmer beneath my neutral f

go, Ste

he hadn't wasted much time in the activity before returning to work. He wasn't looking at Stephanie, or even at me. He was staring out the panor

hair, the malicious snarl instantly replaced by a soft, obedient smile as she turned to Jason. His com

ofile, turning the sharp angles of his face into chiseled bronze. Handsome? Yes. A jerk? A very big one. A snub? Absolutely. But h

nd low. I extended the white envelope.

fly meeting mine. There was no warmth, no flicker of recognition, just a cold assessment.

o argument. He turned his back on us both and walked back into the luxury suite. The heavy door clicked

nly long enough to lean in and murmur, "You know he's going to announce our engag

ard the master elevato

air. Tonight was no different. Dad-Robert Thorne-sat oppos

he turned to Mom. "She's so young, and I can't believe she's finally thinking about

ome. But Mom, Anna, was the original matriarchal force-a silent, sharp observe

n he married me, darling," Mom said, her eyes fixed

ape that cut through the polite silence. "I'll be in my study. I have a nine

Handsome? Yes. Avoidant?

of all, his emotions. He certainly hated any mention of marriage, even if it was to Steph

elf-a sharp, painful pang in my chest. Why did I still a

st, the seating arrangements, the immense pressure of securing a multi-billion dollar deal that evening. It

ason's name, scrawled repeatedly during the interminable conversation. Th

and my long, irrational dream w