Chapter 4

The dressing room door swung shut, and their footsteps faded down the hall.

I stood there looking at the plain dress in front of me, and suddenly I laughed out loud.

I'd let Theodore grow so bold that he actually dared to threaten me like this.

I took out my phone and called my assistant, Ivy Walsh. "Ivy, go open the Amherst family safe. Take out what's inside and bring it to me."

I paused. "And bring the alliance agreement we signed with the Harrison family eight years ago, too."

Ivy's tone turned serious at once. "Yes, Ms. Amherst!"

Eight years ago, Sterling and I had signed that agreement in secret.

To protect the Amherst family's interests, I'd insisted on several terms. One spelled out exactly what would happen if the heir I chose ever betrayed me.

All of the heir's shares would be transferred to me, and I could do whatever I wanted with them.

Theodore would be stripped of his title as heir.

The Harrison family would cast him out, and he'd never see another cent of its money or any of its perks.

I still remembered the sour look on Sterling's face when he signed it.

When I thought about it that way, I really ought to thank Theodore.

He was about to hand me a fortune.

With those shares, the Amherst family would easily become New York's top mafia family.

As for the Harrison family, it might even need a new name.

Ivy was there in no time.

The huge black garment bag fell away, revealing a wedding dress beneath the lights.

The ivory silk satin shone, and the hand-sewn Chantilly lace was exquisite.

Thousands of pearls were sewn into the skirt, and the Amherst family creed was embroidered in silver thread along the waistline.

This was the Amherst family gown.

"Help me put it on."

I stood in front of the full-length mirror and looked at my reflection.

After losing 22 pounds, my features looked sharper. My collarbones stood out in a clean, even line, and the dress highlighted the elegant curve of my neck and shoulders.

This wasn't the gown I'd spent the last three months dreaming about.

But it was mine. It fit perfectly, and it carried the hopes of every Amherst heir who'd come before me.

Ivy stood beside me holding the alliance agreement. I glanced at her, took a deep breath, and walked out of the dressing room.

In the hallway, the butler was leading the board members toward the study.

When they saw me come out, they all stopped.

They'd obviously already noticed that someone else had taken my place as the bride at the rehearsal downstairs.

At the front of the group, Leo Harrison gave a scornful snort. "Ms. Amherst, so this is the heir you picked yourself.

"The Harrison family has never been so humiliated..."

Before he could finish, I cut him off. "The wedding hasn't happened yet. I can switch grooms anytime. After all, the Harrison family has plenty of eligible men."

Back then, no one had opposed Theodore becoming heir more strongly than Leo. He'd also tried to set me up with his grandson, Anthony Harrison.

He'd even used Theodore's name to invite me out, then arranged for Anthony to meet me without asking me first.

I still remembered Anthony's deep blue eyes and his sharp features.

I'd heard he had a natural talent for business, too. Nothing he'd ever handled had gone wrong.

He was polite and composed, carrying himself with natural grace.

Even when I turned him down, he took it like a gentleman. He simply smiled and said, "That's my fault, Ms. Amherst. I came along too late."

Leo gave me the cold shoulder after that.

But now, I thought about those sapphire-blue eyes.

I smiled at Leo. "Leo, do you happen to have a better match in mind for me?"

He hesitated for a moment and looked me up and down. A shrewd gleam lit his clouded old eyes. "Of course, Ms. Amherst."

I knew he was a smart man.

"Then I'll see you in the chapel."

I gave him a small smile. "The rehearsal isn't over yet, is it?"