They called me the ugly graduate, and my family cut me off overnight—no calls, no apology, no inheritance, just silence

spark through dry grass.

Daniel blinked. “Aureon? As in Aureon Consulting?”

Marcus did not take his eyes off me.

“As in the woman who saved three of my companies and refused to flatter me once.”

The color drained from my father’s face.

My mother’s hand flew to her necklace.

Sarah looked as if someone had pulled the floor from under her perfect white shoes.continue reading …