Novels by Frostlyn Kate

The whispers started before Emma could process Sam's words."CloudPeak Systems? Wasn't that—""—the company that went bankrupt—""—suspended? NovaTech is suspended?""Did he just say—"Lillian's face had gone from shock-white to fury-red in the span of a breath. "There's been a mistake." Her voice came out strangled, pitched too high. "That's not what the press conference said yesterday. I haven't received any notice about—"Her phone buzzed.Everyone heard it in the sudden quiet. A sharp vibration that made Lillian fumble for her purse, hands shaking so badly she nearly dropped it. She pulled out her phone, stared at the screen.And the color drained from her face entirely."No." The word was barely a whisper. Then louder: "No, this is wrong. This can't—"She looked up at Sam, phone clutched like evidence of a crime. "It says—it says my company's IPO has been halted. Suspected violations. Investigation. But that's impossible! We followed every regulation! Every single—"Her voice cra

Emma's throat closed.The guards waited, expressions professionally neutral, but their posture screamed authority. Behind them, the crowd pressed closer, phones already raised to capture whatever humiliation was about to unfold.Emma recognized faces in the mass—former clients who'd dropped her the moment bankruptcy hit, investors who'd deleted her emails, competitors who'd probably celebrated her downfall over champagne. They were all watching now, waiting to see her dragged out like the charity case Lillian claimed she was.She tugged at Blake's sleeve, whispered urgently. "Blake, we should just go. Please."Blake didn't move. Didn't even glance at her.The lead guard cleared his throat. "Sir, your pass?""I don't have one," Blake said calmly.The lobby erupted.Laughter rolled through the crowd like a wave breaking against shore. Someone whistled. Someone else called out something Emma couldn't quite hear but that made others laugh harder.The guard blinked, clearly not expecting s

Emma stood in the hotel lobby, watching Blake's back as he walked toward his car.She should go. Should find somewhere else to sleep tonight. Should stop imposing on a man who'd already done too much.But where would she go?Blake's phone rang. He answered briefly, said something she couldn't hear, then turned and gestured for her to follow.Emma hesitated. Blake opened the passenger door, waiting.She got in. Though puzzled.The car pulled away from the curb, merging into evening traffic. Emma sat with her hands folded in her lap, acutely aware of the silence stretching between them."Where are we going?" she finally asked.Blake kept his eyes on the road. Didn't answer.Emma bit her lip, swallowed the follow-up questions. Maybe he was taking her to another property. Maybe he had business nearby. Maybe—The car stopped.Emma looked up. Her breath caught.Another Grandeur Hotel. But this time the entrance was transformed—red carpet stretching from curb to door, photographers clustered

Mrs. Wellington touched Madam Mary's arm. "Mary, maybe we should just—""Just what?" Madam Mary was still riding high on victory, cheeks flushed with triumph. "Let them disrespect me? Absolutely not. Did you see how that little tramp talked to me? The audacity.""I know, but maybe we should focus on why we're here," Mrs. Patterson said carefully. "You were going to show us the apartment Carter bought?"Madam Mary's expression shifted immediately, anger melting into pride. "Oh, you're right. Why am I wasting energy on those two losers when I have something so much better to show off?" She pulled a sleek black key card from her purse, held it up like a trophy. "Ladies, prepare to be amazed."They approached the penthouse door—the same one Blake and Emma had just exited."Now, I told Carter not to go overboard," Madam Mary said, her voice taking on that false modesty that made Mrs. Wellington's smile tighten. "I said, 'Carter, dear, Lillian isn't the type to care about material things. J

Blake stepped forward. "Excuse us."Madam Mary moved directly into his path, heels planted like she owned the hallway. "Stop right there. Did I say you could go?"The command in her voice made Emma's jaw tighten. She'd heard that tone before—from investors who thought bankruptcy made her their servant, from landlords demanding rent she couldn't pay, from people who mistook desperation for weakness.Blake's expression stayed neutral. "We're done here. If you'll move—""I asked you a question, Blake." Madam Mary's smile was all teeth, no warmth. "What are you doing in this hotel?""That's no longer your concern." Blake's voice was flat, final. "I've already discussed divorce with Lillian. Where I go, what I do—none of it has anything to do with your family anymore."Madam Mary's laugh was sharp enough to draw blood. "Oh, so that's how it is? You think a piece of paper means you can disrespect your elders? I don't care if you're divorced—I'm still older than you, and it's perfectly natur

The Grandeur Hotel's tea room smelled of money and competition.Madam Mary adjusted her pearl necklace—a gift from Carter, delivered this morning along with a handwritten note calling her "the mother I never had." She'd read it three times before calling her friends."This jasmine blend is from Taiwan," Mrs. Patterson said, holding her cup like evidence. "Thirty dollars per ounce. I had to special order it.""How thoughtful of you." Madam Mary's smile was polite, predatory. "Though I must say, staying in the presidential suite does spoil one's standards. The tea service they provide is simply extraordinary."Mrs. Patterson's cup paused halfway to her lips. "The presidential suite? Here?""Oh, didn't I mention?" Madam Mary's voice dripped false modesty. "Carter—my future son-in-law—booked it for me. Insisted I stay the night after Lillian's celebration banquet. You know how these young men are. So attentive."Mrs. Wellington set down her pastry. "Carter? I thought your daughter was mar