Chapter 55

Third-Person POV

Rain lashed against the penthouse windows, matching the storm brewing inside. Rose stared at Stefan across the living room, his posture rigid as he clutched his phone in a white-knuckled grip. The text message glowed on the screen between them, another buyer canceling their order, another financial blow to her already crumbling fashion empire.

“That’s the third cancellation today,” Rose said, fighting to keep her voice steady. “Bergdorf claims ‘brand association concerns.’ As if they’ve suddenly developed a moral conscience.”

Stefan didn’t look up. “Did you sleep with him too?”

“What?”

“The Bergdorf buyer.” His voice held a coldness she’d never heard before. “Did you sleep with him like you did with Jonathan Hayes? Like you did with Lord Hartley? Like you apparently did with half of London while I was here, thinking about you every day?”

Rose flinched as if he’d slapped her. “That’s not fair.”

“Fair?” Stefan finally l