Lacy knocked on Graydon's office door. A firm "Come in" preceded her entry.

The office décor was typical nouveau riche: expensive but tacky modern art hung alongside diplomas and awards. Someone was clearly full of himself.

He gestured to a chair, and she sat primly. "I assume you know why I'm here."

Graydon smiled. "You finally came to your senses and want my help. Let me guess… Alistair Hale offended you by failing to offer a proper apology."

Too incensed to care about his accuracy, she launched into a rant.

"It wasn't an apology at all! He said he couldn't control his son, that none of this was his fault, and I should just forget it. He even called me an old maid! Just because the Hales are slightly wealthier than the Knightons doesn't mean he can treat me like this. He promised Aaron to me!"

"He's notorious for breaking promises," Graydon said wryly. "You should have gotten one from Aaron; I hear he's much more dependable."

Lacy pouted. "You claim to know how Aaron treats me… that's impossible."

"So you're at least slightly self-aware. You know Aaron hates you, so you went to his father, thinking he'd be unable to refute your claims. Isn't that a bit underhanded?"

"Whose side are you on?!"

"Mine, of course," he replied with a smile. "Helping you is in my best interest. I'm sure you've heard rumors about the discord between father and son lately."

Rumors? She'd heard it straight from the horse's mouth! But what did Aaron's distancing himself from his father have to do with anything?

"I have a source inside Hale Investments. Apparently, he's been proposing ideas his father rejects. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's planning a hostile takeover."

Aaron was a brilliant businessman—everyone knew of his accomplishments. Unlike many in their circle, he wasn't a figurehead vice president. He genuinely cared about his family's company's growth. But would he really oust his father?

"You seem to want that to happen," she said shrewdly. His amusement was evident in his tone.

"Well, aren't you perceptive," Graydon said, as if praising a child. "I won't deny I'm eager to see how this plays out."

He leaned forward, hands clasped under his chin. His posture was relaxed, a slight smile on his face, but a sinister glint shone in his eyes.

Lacy eyed him warily. "Where does helping me fit in?"

"Simple. We both dislike Alistair Hale. Isn't Aaron the best way to get to him? I help you gain Aaron's trust, and in return, you help him remove his father."

Helping depose her future father-in-law felt wrong, even if she'd lost all respect for the man. What if others found out? She'd be the subject of gossip for years. But if the rumors were true, and it was what Aaron wanted… wouldn't he appreciate her help?

Her mind was made up. "What do you need me to do?"

Graydon smiled wickedly. "You'll see."

November 2013, another lifetime.

About a year had passed since Lacy successfully sabotaged Keeley's chances of bearing the next Hale heir. Why hadn't Aaron divorced her yet? None of this made sense. Hadn't Alistair been certain he'd leave Keeley once she proved unable to produce an heir? Lacy was young, healthy, and perfectly capable of bearing him a child. Why hadn't he come to her? What was he waiting for?

(The following sentence, and the website address, are removed as they are promotional and not part of the narrative.)

Everyone in their circle knew that bearing sons was vital for a wife's standing. Lacy's own mother had suffered shame and degradation for bearing only a daughter.

Brann hadn't cast her aside because her family was too important to lose ties with; he planned to hand over his empire to his future son-in-law. Lacy knew there was no love lost between her parents.

It was the way things worked. People married for advantage. So why had Aaron married a woman with nothing to offer him?

He understood the system better than anyone. He'd believed in it. What had changed? He couldn't have fallen in love; his heart was made of stone.

Lacy believed they'd end up together because she offered him the most advantageous match in their circle: she was beautiful and well-connected.

She didn't even mind that he didn't love her initially; being with him was the goal. She was confident she could win him over—in bed. So how? How had this nobody won his favor instead of her?

"I know what you did," a teasing male voice whispered.

Lacy jerked back, startled, and saw an exceptionally handsome man leaning over her. "Excuse me?"

Hands in his pockets, he looked perfectly at ease, a carefree smile on his face. "I know what you did to Keeley Hale. Talk about ruthless. That poor girl never did anything to you."

"You know nothing," she said sharply, turning to leave the jewelry counter. She was alone; none of her friends were available.

"Oh, so you don't care if I tell Aaron you had his firstborn son killed?" he asked casually.

Lacy stopped.

It was shocking enough that he knew about her false ectopic pregnancy scheme, but how did he know the child was a boy? The fetus was too underdeveloped for visual determination, but Dr. Rothman performed a blood test to determine the gender during Keeley's checkup. Upon receiving the results, Lacy knew she had to act. If Keeley gave birth to the next Hale heir, there was no way the family would let her go. She'd only done what was necessary.

"How did you—"

"Let's just say Dr. Rothman and I are old friends."

"What do you want from me?" she asked uneasily. This sounded like blackmail.

The man grinned. "An alliance. I'm particularly interested in destroying the Hales. With Keeley out of the picture, her husband will be all yours."

It was tempting, but she didn't know him. She couldn't trust him, especially given his approach.

"Who are you?" Lacy demanded.

"Call me Mr. Gray for now. Here's my card. Think it over and get back to me," he said, vanishing as quickly as he'd appeared.

(The final sentence, and the website address, are removed as they are promotional and not part of the narrative.)