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’His na round to face her ’Is he William Kane’s son?’ he demanded

’Yes, he is,’ said Florentyna

’You could considerWilliam Kane’s son? Do you knohat that man did to me? He’s the man as responsible for the death of my closest friend Yes, he’s the man who made Davis Leroy commit suicide and, not satisfied with that, he tried to bankrupt me If David Maxton hadn’t rescued me in time, Kane would have taken away ht And where would I be now if William Kane had had his way? You’d have been lucky to have ended up as a shop girl at Blooht about that, Florentyna?’

’Yes, Daddy, I’ve thought of little else these past feeeks Richard and I are horrified about the hatred that exists between you and his father

He’s facing him now’

’Well, I can tell you how he’ll react,’ said Abel ’He’ll go berserk Tlat man would never allow that precious wasp son of his to niarry you so youlady’

His voice had risen to a shout

’I can’t forget it, Father,’ she said evenly ’We love each other, and we both need your blessing, not your anger’

’Now you listen to me, Florentyna,’ said Abel, his face now red with fury

’I forbid you to see the Kane boy ever again Do you hear me?’

’Yes, I hcar you - But I will see him I’ll not be parted from Richard because you hate his father!

She found herself clutching her ring finger and trehtly

’It will not happen,’ Raid Abel ’I will never allow theme for the son of that bastard Kane I say you will notyou I would have run aith him if that was true, but I couldn’t do that behind your back I’m over twenty - one, and I will marry Richard I intend to spend the rest of my life with hirn Please help us, Daddy Won~t you in to understand why I feel the way I do about him?’

’He will never be allowed to enter my home I do not want to meet any child of William Kane Never, do you hear me?’

"Ilen I must leave you’

’Florentyna, if you leave me, to marry the Kane boy, I’ll cut you off without a penny Without a penny, do you hear me?’ Abel’s voice softened