Chapter 1
To marry Ryland Harrington, the golden boy of the Astoria elite circle, I spent three years at the Elite Debutante
Finishing Academy.
I learned his every preference inside and out. I perfected what pleased him in bed:
And finally, I got his proposal.
But on our wedding day, a string of bullet comments floated before me.
[The conniving woman has no idea our fearless reporter heroine already exposed that finishing academy.]
[The male lead hates being deceived more than anything. Should’ve exposed her ages ago for using tricks to make him
obsessed.]
[Can’t wait for her to get thrown off a yacht and fed to the sharks.]
At that same moment, Ryland spoke, his tone perfectly calm.
“Ashley, you wouldn’t lie to me like those women in the news, would you?”
Before I could answer, Daisy White burst into the ballroom, microphone in hand.
“Miss Linwood, care to share your three years of experience at the Elite Debutante Finishing Academy?”
The ballroom’s projection screen lit up with slides. How to Captivate the Ice Prince: A Manual for Ryland Harrington.
Ryland’s gaze turned to ice as he looked at me.
I smiled bitterly.
I admit it. I schemed for his love. I used every tool I had.
But that manual didn’t include one lesson: taking seven stab wounds and three bullets for him.
Every guest’s eyes locked onto me, demanding an explanation even more than Ryland did.
I gripped my wedding gown, unable to speak.
The bullet comments flickered back.
[The schemer’s playing mute. Didn’t they teach that at finishing school?)
[Our fearless heroine walked straight into an Astoria elite wedding all by herself.)
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[Plucky little ingénue faces down the big shot of Astoria’s elite-a romance is about to spark.]
Ryland walked toward Daisy, and my heart shot into my throat.
“Miss White. Turn off your camera. Now.
Daisy’s face stiffened. Then indignation took over.
“Mr. Harrington, the woman at your side is a platinum VIP member of the Elite Debutante Finishing Academy. Your past
four years together? All an elaborate trap Ashley Linwood designed targeting you.”
When Ryland didn’t respond, I steadied myself and spoke.
“Miss White, anyone with a little effort could dig up what’s on those slides. That hardly makes it a con. I love my fiancé.
and we’re extremely compatible.”
Daisy sneered.
“You re cornered but still running your mouth.”
Before she finished, she pulled out her phone and flashed a number.
My stomach dropped. That was my backup line-the number I used to contact the Academy’s investigation unit.
Last year, I’d even had them tail Ryland during his business trip to London.
But only so they’d alert me the second anything dangerous happened. I knew Ryland’s nature. He’d hide things from me.
Because he hated making me worry.
Daisy shot me a taunting look.
“This number’s only ever had one contact-the head of the Elite Debutante Finishing Academy.”
I had no defense left. A deadly chill rolled off Ryland.
“Miss White. I won’t ask twice.”
Daisy reluctantly killed her camera, Ryland turned to me without warning.
“Time for the rings.”
I stared at him, stunned, as the bullet comments jeered.
[She’s actually still hoping for a wedding?]
[Mr. Harrington cares about appearances. He’d never admit to Astoria’s elites that his wife is a finishing academy
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product.]
Numbly, I let Ryland slide a 20-carat radiant-cut diamond ring onto my finger.
The screen behind us played a montage of our love story.
But the moment we got back to Harrington Manor from the reception, Ryland locked himself in his study all night.
His personal secretary moved in and out with files.
That orange folder.
The one that always appeared whenever Ryland investigated someone.
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