The McCarthy mansion buzzed with the kind of excitement that only came when someone else’s misery was the cause. Mr. McCarthy stood at the tall window, one hand pressed against the glass, grinning so wide his cheeks hurt. His reflection looked smug and satisfied, and he rather liked the way it suite

The wide glass doors of the Nova headquarters opened, and Ryan stepped out into the afternoon sun. Claudia walked close beside him, her face tight with anger and disbelief, her fingers curled into fists. Ryan and Claudia moved toward the waiting car at the curb. But before he could reach the car,

“I don't know yet. But we will soon enough,” Lord Ryder replied. She kept her eyes on Lord Ryder, waiting for her to continue. There was a heavy silence between them for a few moments. Lord Ryder finally leaned back, exhaling slowly. “I received word today,” she said. “My sources reported back to

Every now and then, Martha would giggle to herself, thinking about how her life was about to change. “I can’t believe it,” she whispered under her breath, her smile wide. “A real job, and not just any job, but one that pays so well. And the Duval family… I mean, who would have thought?” She clutch

Martha still sat on the cold concrete floor, her knees tucked up against her chest, her cheek pressed into her sleeve that was already damp from tears. Her body ached from the way she had been dragged and thrown down earlier, but it was nothing compared to the ache inside her chest — the kind of a