Sophia had sung his praises, boasting about his boxing skills and racing experience. She''d even tested his alcohol tolerance, dering he could stand in for Noreen at any drinking-heavy business dinners. He was, in her words, an all- around talent. She had been right. Colby''s skills had just saved Noreen''s life.


    The doctors gave Noreen a clean bill of health, much to Sophia''s relief. A short whileter, Colby arrived at the hospital.


    "I was at the traffic police headquarters," he told Noreen, his voice low and serious. "I reviewed the surveince footage from every angle. I''m certain of one thing: that truck was intentionally targeting us."


    A cold dread washed over Noreen. "You''re saying someone tried to have me killed?"


    Colby nodded grimly.


    Noreen took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. It took a long moment for her to recover. "What did the police say?"


    "They''re investigating. They should have some answers soon."


    "Be careful from now on," Noreen said, her voice barely a whisper. It was one thing to fend off an open attack, but another entirely to defend against an enemy hiding in the shadows.


    Lana Reed hurried to the Lowell estate. When she saw Forrest Lowell was also there, she pretended she was just dropping by for a casual visit, but her anxious expression gave her away. Yvonne sensed something was wrong and made an excuse to pull her into her room to help pick out a dress for a g.


    The moment the door was closed, Yvonne''s voice dropped to a whisper. “Did it work?"


    Lana shook her head, her face etched with worry. "No."


    "What do you mean, no?" Yvonne''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    "The bitch is too damn lucky! The person we hired ended up dead instead." That was why Lana had rushed over.


    Yvonne was furious to hear that Noreen had survived, but anger wouldn''t change the facts.


    "Do you think they''ll trace it back to us?" Lana fretted.


    Yvonne shot her an exasperated look. "Don''t be ridiculous! These people are professionals; they don''t leave evidence. The driver who died Was terminally. His family gets a payout, so they won''t ask any questions."


    Lana finally rxed. "That''s a relief."


    "She may have been lucky this time," Yvonne said, her eyes narrowing into slits, "but I doubt her luck will hold out forever."


    "You''re going to try again?" Lana asked, aghast. Someone had already died.


    "Keep your voice down!" Yvonne hissed. Lana quickly mped a hand over her mouth. "Noreen is a stumbling block on Bianca''s path to sess," Yvonne continued calmly. "She has to be eliminated."


    ...


    That Wednesday, Halley was giving


    a lecture at Rivercrest University. Noreen cleared her schedule to


    attend. With the entrance examet


    looming, she needed to cram. After the ident, Colby had be her shadow, sticking by her side twenty-four hours a day.


    She arrivedte,ing straight from a shareholder meeting, and all the good seats were taken. Halley had only recently been appointed an Academician, and his lectures were always packed. Noreen finally spotted a single empty seat in a corner, only to realize the person sitting next to it was Henry Brooke. She didn''t hesitate, however, and


    walked over and sat down.


    Henry had been focused on Bianca in the front row. When he finally noticed who


    was sitting beside him, his expression immediately soured. He instinctively shifted away, creating a noticeable distance between them.


    ***