Chapter 1 - THE WOMAN ON THE MARBLE FLOORGenevieve Sinclair dragged me across the Bellmont Crown lobby by my wrist.
My scraped palm slid against white marble.
Pain burned through my arm.
Wealthy gala guests stepped backward to protect their evening clothes.
No one helped.
Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead.
White orchids rose from gold stands.
Afternoon sunlight poured through the arched glass doors.
I wore a simple charcoal-gray tank dress.
One cheek was bruised.
Blood marked my lower lip.
Genevieve wore ivory silk and diamonds.
The lobby’s acting president looked like she belonged there.
I looked like someone security should remove.
“Throw her out!” Genevieve shouted.
Two guards approached.
“Street thieves don’t belong in my hotel.”
My hotel.
She emphasized the words.
I raised my face.
“You’re standing inside my inheritance.”
For half a second, fear entered her eyes.
Then contempt covered it.
“You’re not an heiress. You’re delusional.”
She tightened her grip.
The arched doors opened.
Nathaniel Brooks entered carrying a dark leather folder stamped with the gold Marlowe crest.
Two senior security officers followed him.
“Take your hands off Miss Marlowe!”
The room fell silent.
Genevieve released me.
Nathaniel helped me stand.
Then he raised the folder.
“She owns this entire hotel.”
Genevieve’s face turned white.
I looked at the hundreds of guests.
No applause.
Only shock.
Good.
May you like
This was not a victory.
It was the beginning of an accounting.
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