“Ms. Sterling,” he said, his voice dropping into a register of absolute panic. “We were just notified of your arrival. Please accept our profoundest apologies for the delay.

The private express car has been secured for you. Your brother, Mr. Victor Sterling, requested that we escort you directly to the penthouse suite.”

Chloe’s jaw dropped so fast her pearl earrings rattled against her collarbone. “Excuse me? What did you just call her? This woman is Vivienne Vance. She’s the wife of our Executive VP.

She doesn’t even have an invitation to the main floor!”

The security manager turned a deadly, glacial glare onto Chloe. “Her legal name is Vivienne Sterling. And if you speak one more word in her presence, I will personally make sure you’re banned from entering any commercial property in the tri-state area before the sun sets.”

I didn’t spare Chloe a parting glance. I didn’t need to. Her face had shifted from a mask of elitist arrogance to a ghostly, translucent white.