starting my real life.”
Arthur tilted his head.
“Daniel, before you begin that real life, may I ask you something?”
Daniel laughed.
“Anything.”
Arthur’s tone remained almost conversational.
“Did you know your ex-wife owns fourteen companies?”
The room changed immediately.
The laughter disappeared first.
Then conversations stopped.
Even the music seemed suddenly too loud.
Daniel’s smile froze.
“What?”
Arthur calmly took a sip of champagne.
“Fourteen companies.”
He paused.
“Including this hotel.”
Vanessa’s hand slipped away from Daniel’s arm.
Daniel looked around the ballroom as if the ceiling had collapsed
