The moment Liam Livingston retreated up the stairs, disappearing into the sanctuary of the upper floors, Chloe Chase let out a long, ragged breath that she hadn't realized she was holding. Her heart was still hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. To the world, she was the "Unicorn" of Port Haven, the iron-willed Managing Director of the Willow Grand. To Liam, she was an operative—a student of his Architect’s vision.
Vanessa Sterling’s face, however, shifted from a performative welcoming smile to a darkened scowl the moment her son-in-law was out of sight. "Honestly, that boy has the social awareness of a brick," she huffed, smoothing her silk blouse. "No initiative whatsoever. Chloe arrives—a woman of your stature, dear—and he can’t even be bothered to wash some fruit or play th
