A light rain was falling over Monte City.
I stood by the window in my second-floor bedroom, looking at the wet leaves glistening on the estate lawn. On the round table beside me sat several reports on the Bennett Consortium's corporate structure.
A soft knock at the door. Several maids pushed in racks of hanging haute couture gowns.
"Miss Bennett, Mr. Richard instructed us to prepare these for tomorrow evening's engagement announcement banquet." The lead stylist handed me a thick lookbook.
I looked at the expensive fabrics gleaming under the light. I didn't take the book.
"Leave them for now. I'll look later."
The stylists bowed and withdrew.
I walked to the vanity, opened the bottom drawer, and took out a silver ring that had oxidized to black.
Two years ago, when Liam "went bankr
