Page 66 (1/2)

1

Juliette

I banged my forehead on my desk a few times “Why?” I asked out loud “Why?!”

Was I being dramatic? Yes Yes, I was That wasn’t in the Coleton family code, but daddy dearest was too far away to control me I could throw a small, uncivilized tantrum if I damn well pleased

I heard footsteps and then a sh “You okay, Jules?”

Instead of picking my head up to face her, I just rolled it to the side Chloe was leaning against ht on the other side of h that I could hear her accidentally start the videos she tried to watch all day with the volume on full, then swear and mute them

Chloe was colasses every day to o with her scarf

Was I okay? That depended Was it okay to run away from your billionaire father because you didn’t want to be married off like some medieval princess? Was it okay to burn the fa you could, and escape to soe your last name to your mother’s maiden name and hope your father never tracked you down?

“I’m totally fine,” I said, head still plopped on my desk

“Why ”

“It’s just this e for an excuse to fire o do a design consultation at Coleton Publishing” And yes, it was a branch of the family business, even if it was too s into my father

“You’ve never done a design consultation,” Chloe said slowly

“I’m aware of that, Chloe So is Maxi She wants me to screw this up so she can fire , why me?”

I left the office for my appointment at Coleton with cautious optimism Yes, the optimism had been sprinkled with a healthy dose of dread, but I could look on the bright side if I damn well pleased