I never told my family I was the anonymous buyer behind the $200 million deal!

They didn’t know that the anonymous trust that paid for Leo’s medical school, the emergency funding that saved Aura Design twice, and even the down payment on this penthouse all came from me.

I took the napkin from Leo and dabbed my face calmly, presenting exactly what Madeline wanted to see—someone small, embarrassed, and powerless.

Julian met my eyes. I gave a slight shake of my head.

Now.

“We were discussing business,” I said softly.

Madeline curled her lip. “Business? Go back to your classroom. The adults are talking.”

I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone.

The room expected me to leave. To call a car. To disappear.

Instead, I spoke.

Continue reading…