LOGINDarius swiped through photographs. Evelyn at the Miles party, Evelyn watching Shannon, Evelyn at Vale Group, Evelyn standing beside Edward, Sean walking past her toward Shannon.."She appears to have developed an interest in Sean Vale."Silas laughed quietly. "The same man Shannon is engaged to?""Yes.""And she previously took Shannon's husband?""Yes.""Now she wants the next one?""That's our assessment."Silas took the tablet. He studied Evelyn for several seconds. "Does she hate Shannon?"Darius's expression barely changed. "Enough that we probably wouldn't need to teach her."Silas smiled. "Perfect." He returned the tablet. "Start with her."Darius nodded. "Contact?""No." Silas looked toward the city. "Not directly. Let her believe every idea is hers."Darius understood.Silas continued. "People like this don't want instructions, they want permission. Give her opportunities, information, access. Let her discover doors she thinks she opened herself and when she walks through?" S
The world had buried Silas Miles once. He had found the experience surprisingly useful. Death, he'd learned, was an excellent way to make people stop looking for you.No creditors, no prosecutors, no surviving relatives asking questions, no journalists digging through records, no nephew wondering whether the uncle convicted of murdering his grandfather had truly taken his final breath behind prison walls.For years, Silas had lived comfortably inside that lie. Different name, different documents, different country when necessary and enough legitimate businesses layered over enough illegitimate ones that very few people knew exactly where his money began or ended.His office occupied the highest floor of a private building registered to a company that technically belonged to another company three jurisdictions away.No photographs decorated the walls, no family, no memories. Silas had never been sentimental.He stood near the window now, one hand resting lightly against the head of hi
Edward didn't answer.Lilian watched him. "How, Edward?""I don't know.""You tried the board it didn't work."His jaw tightened. "I know.""You tried threatening his position, you told him to choose..."Edward looked toward her.Lilian's voice became quieter. "And he chose her.""Enough.""But he did."Edward slammed his palm against the back of a chair. "Because Kennedy has gotten into his head!"Lilian frowned. "Kennedy?""Who else?""Sean was already with Shannon before Kennedy knew she was his daughter."Edward stopped. That irritated him because it was true.Lilian continued carefully. "And Aria loved Shannon before any of this.""Whose side are you on?""Ours." She stood. "Which is why I'm trying to make you think."Edward laughed bitterly. "Think?""Kennedy publicly threatened every company working with us, our own son offered him eighty percent of Vale Group and now the entire internet is watching our family fall apart." Lilian stepped closer. "If we don't do something, Kenne
Sean took a breath. "I'll become Sean Miles because I want to build a family with Shannon, not because I'm ashamed of being born Sean Vale." His eyes moved toward Shannon. "And I'll stand with her because she's the woman I love, not because somebody forced me to prove it by destroying everyone else I ever loved."Shannon's eyes filled.Aria looked down.Mr. Voss remained silent for several seconds then slowly he nodded.Sean blinked.Kennedy looked toward him.Mr. Voss stood. "That was the answer I wanted."Sean stared. "You could've mentioned that before making me question my entire existence."Mr. Voss smiled faintly. "No."Aria finally spoke. "I like Grandpa."Kennedy immediately frowned. "He's not your grandfather."Aria shrugged. "Grandpa in law.""There hasn't even been a wedding.""Future Grandpa in law."Mr. Voss laughed.Kennedy looked around the room as though searching for someone sane, he found no one. Then his eyes landed on Sean.The boy had refused him again, but this t
Mr. Voss studied him for a long moment then asked: "Even if Edward ends up with nothing?"Sean's expression shifted.Mr. Voss continued. "No company, no shares, no influence, no estate, no money."Sean said nothing."Even if your father ends up on the street?"Shannon looked toward her grandfather. "Grandpa...""No." Mr. Voss didn't look away from Sean. "He says he'll help Kennedy. I want to know what that means."Sean's jaw tightened.Mr. Voss leaned forward. "If proof shows Edward did everything Kennedy believes..." His voice became colder. "...and Kennedy takes everything from him. Every asset, every property, every dollar, until Edward Vale is left with nothing, would you stop him?"Sean looked toward Kennedy.Kennedy was watching him closely.Sean eventually answered. "No."Shannon's brows lifted.Aria stopped moving.Sean swallowed. "I wouldn't stop him."Mr. Voss nodded. "Would you help your father afterward?"Sean went still. Different question, much harder.Mr. Voss saw it. "
Sean looked between the two older men. For once, even he seemed uncertain which instruction was safest.Mr. Voss looked at him. "You intend to marry my granddaughter.""Yes, sir.""Then sit."Sean sat.Kennedy's eyes widened. "Sean.""Sorry, Mr. Miles." Sean adjusted his jacket. "Your daughter's grandfather asked me to stay."Kennedy stared at him.Sean kept his face perfectly serious.Aria whispered: "Supreme Court ruling."Shannon snorted.Kennedy looked toward her and she immediately became quiet.Mr. Voss sat opposite Sean. "Now." He studied him. "I've seen enough headlines about my granddaughter today to know that your family doesn't want her."Sean's expression changed.Mr. Voss continued. "Your father called her a divorcee."Sean's jaw tightened."He ordered her out of Vale Group because Kennedy is coming after him, and he told you whatever relationship you have with Shannon should end."Sean's face hardened. "He can say whatever he wants."Mr. Voss leaned back. "Can he?"Sean
The guest room was at the end of the hall.Shannon paused at the doorway, her fingers resting lightly against the frame before she stepped in.It used to be a storage room now it was neat, cleaned and prepared.A bed, fresh sheets and a wardrobe that looked barely used.Shannon exhaled slowly and s
The hospital discharged them the next day.Shannon didn’t know whether that was fate or cruelty.She stood just outside the building, her fingers gripping the thin discharge papers in her hand as the sunlight hit her face. Too bright. Like the world hadn’t just ended for her.A few steps ahead Rowa
Shannon’s knees weakened beneath her. Three months of silence. Three months of absence. Three months where she wasn’t there. Her breathing grew uneven. Three months where someone else was. Her gaze slowly shifted back to Rowan. And this time she understood. Rowan watched her, something sharp
Rowan sat on the bed, his arm wrapped loosely around Evelyn.Evelyn stood close, too close, and Rowan leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world.Like he had done it a hundred times.Like it belonged there.“Stop!”The word tore out of Shannon befor







