A Billionaire’s Fiancée Kidnapped The Woman He Trusted Most — Then He Discovered The “Maid” She Hated Was The Only Person Who Saved His Empire.

PART 2

“You’re unusually helpless every morning.”

Grant picked up the fork.

From the doorway, Vanessa watched them.

She was thirty-one, elegant and camera-ready, with blond hair that never appeared out of place. She had met Grant three years earlier at a Manhattan fundraiser where she chaired a foundation supporting arts education.

Within a year, society columns were calling them New York’s most promising power couple.

Vanessa entered the kitchen wearing a cream sweater and riding pants, although she had not ridden a horse in months.

“Good morning,” she said.

Grant looked up. “Morning.”

Evelyn reached for another plate.

“No, thank you,” Vanessa said. “I’m doing a cleanse.”

“You’ve been doing a cleanse for three weeks,” Grant replied.

“It’s called discipline.”

Evelyn felt Vanessa’s eyes on her.

She stepped away from Grant’s chair.

“The jeweler is coming at ten,” Vanessa said. “Don’t forget.”

“I won’t.”

“You forgot the floral appointment.”

“I had a board meeting.”

“You always have a board meeting.”

Evelyn turned toward the sink, pretending not to hear the strain beneath Vanessa’s words.

The wedding had been scheduled for early October at the estate. Three hundred guests were expected. A temporary glass pavilion was being built beside the gardens. The catering budget alone was larger than the mortgage on Evelyn’s mother’s house.

Vanessa had planned every detail.

Except the one detail she could never control.

Grant did not look at her the way he looked at Evelyn.

He admired Vanessa. He respected her public confidence. He believed they wanted the same efficient, well-ordered life.

But with Evelyn, he breathed differently.

Vanessa had noticed it long before Grant did.

After breakfast, Grant stopped Evelyn near the library.

“I need a favor.”

He opened a small velvet box.

Inside lay a narrow gold ring engraved with tiny ivy leaves.

“My mother’s,” he explained. “The jeweler wants to examine it before the appraisal.”

Evelyn had seen the ring once before in an old family photograph.

“Is this the one you’re giving Vanessa?”

Grant hesitated.

“That was the plan.”

Something in his tone made Evelyn look up.

He avoided her eyes.

“Can you clean it before ten?”

“Of course.”

Evelyn carried the ring into the morning room, where the windows caught the first clear light of day. Using a soft cloth, she carefully polished the gold.

The ring was simple compared with the enormous diamond Vanessa wore.

It looked warm rather than expensive.

For one foolish second, Evelyn slipped it onto her finger.

It fit perfectly.