25
THE NEXT MORNING, Verena dressed in somber black and went to her office for what she knew was the last time. She arrived early, unlocked the door, and climbed the stairs to her office. She passed the familiar photos of guests that Mia had proudly shared with her when she was a little girl. It’s the last time I’ll see these. She paused to fix them in her mind. This had been their legacy.
She strode into her office and opened her email. The first message contained the online edition of Fashion News Daily.
The headline read: Valent Swiss Skincare and Herringbone Capital Battle for Control.
Unable to read it, Verena turned her computer off. She knew what tomorrow’s headline would read.
Lacey tapped on her door and pushed it open. “I’m so sorry, darlin’,” she choked out, her shoulders s
