Chapter 12: Monaco Air

​The view from the penthouse balcony of the Hôtel de Paris was breathtaking, overlooking the glittering, yacht-filled harbor of Monte Carlo. But inside the suite, the air was thick with tension and expensive perfume.

​Kendra Vance stood in front of the vanity mirror, adjusting her oversized designer sunglasses and smoothing down her tight silk dress. She was pretty, certainly, but it was a carefully constructed beauty of expensive dermatologists, high-end makeup, and professional styling. Without the vanity lights, she was remarkably average.

​"Julian, darling," Kendra called out, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "Are you ready? The market will be packed by now, and the photographers usually set up near the harbor around three."

​Julian Van Cullingham stepped out of the bathroom, adjusting the collar of his linen shirt. He was undeniably handsome, with sharp features and a polished, aristocratic air that screamed old money.

​"Of course, my love," Julian said, offering her a charming smile. He walked over, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "We must give the tabloids something beautiful to write about today."

​As they walked through the bustling Monaco market, Julian made sure to hold her close whenever he spotted a photographer. He loved the exposure.

​At a nearby outdoor café, he spotted his target: an elegant, heavily jeweled older widow sitting alone with a small lapdog. She wore a massive diamond ring that caught the Mediterranean sun, and her designer sunglasses were pushed up onto her perfectly coiffed silver hair.

​"Wait here a moment, sweetheart," Julian murmured to Kendra, kissing her cheek. "I see an old family friend. I must pay my respects."

​Kendra rolled her eyes but let him go, wandering over to a luxury flower stall.

​Julian smoothly glided over to the older woman's table. Instead of standing politely, he leaned down close to her ear, his voice dropping into a low, velvety purr.

​"Pardon me, madame," Julian whispered, his fingers lightly brushing the back of her empty chair. "But it is a crime for a woman as stunning as you to be drinking her espresso alone. The view of the harbor pale in comparison to you today."

​The widow flinched in surprise, but as she looked up at Julian's handsome face and charming smile, her expression instantly melted. She let out a soft, flattered giggle, her hand automatically moving to touch her pearl necklace.

​"Oh, my," she murmured, her cheeks flushing. "Aren't you a sweet talker? I don't believe we've met."

​"Not yet," Julian said, his eyes locking onto hers with intense, undivided focus. He took her hand, lifting it to his lips. Instead of a polite kiss on the knuckles, he slowly turned her hand over, pressing a lingering, warm kiss directly onto the sensitive skin of her inner wrist. He let his thumb stroke her palm, right over her massive diamond ring. "I am Julian. And you are the most captivating sight in Monaco."

​The woman gasped softly, her breath catching at the bold, highly intimate touch. "I... I am Beatrice," she whispered, completely captivated.

​"Beatrice," Julian repeated, his voice dripping with charm. "A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. I am hosting an exclusive gathering on a private yacht later this week. I would be absolutely devastated if you weren't there as my personal guest."

​He slipped a sleek, embossed card into her hand, his fingers lingering against hers just a second too long. "Until then, Beatrice."

​With a final, devastating smile, he turned and walked back to Kendra.

​Kendra, completely oblivious, was staring at her phone in a quieter alleyway near the market, her expression sour.

​"Everything alright, darling?" Julian asked, smoothly transitioning back into his role as the doting boyfriend as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

​"Just my mother," Kendra hissed, stepping slightly away from him to answer a buzzing video call.

​The screen flickered, showing Elaine Vance’s panicked, stressed face.

​"Mom, finally," Kendra complained, not even greeting her. "Julian is practically on the verge of proposing. He’s been looking at rings, but I need a massive budget upgrade. My cards are still declining, and it is incredibly embarrassing!"

​"Kendra, sweetie, you need to hold off," Elaine said quickly, her voice hushed as if she were hiding. "We are having major difficulties with the Kingsley funds. Damien's legal team is auditing the contract. That quiet little rat Avery hasn't gotten him to sign off on the money yet."

​Kendra scoffed, her face twisting into a hideous, bratty sneer. "Are you kidding me? Avery has one job. She gets to live in a mansion, pretending to be me, and she can't even get a blind man to sign a piece of paper? Tell Dad to threaten her or something! If Julian finds out my family is struggling, he might pull back. I told him I think I'm pregnant just to keep him locked down, but I can't fake it forever."

​Elaine gasped. "Pregnant? Oh, Kendra, that’s wonderful! If you marry Julian, we won't even need the Kingsleys eventually. But for now, we need that cash flow."

​"Exactly," Kendra whispered, her eyes flashing with a cold, cunning light. "So make Avery do her job. I sacrificed my identity so she could play housewife. The least she can do is get me my money."

​"I’m on it, darling," Elaine promised. "Just keep Julian happy. I will make sure Avery does exactly what she is told."

​Kendra hung up, a smug, evil smirk returning to her face as she slipped her phone back into her bag and walked back toward Julian, ready to play the doting, wealthy heiress once more.