She faltered, clearly caught off guard, before nodding.
Zane’s hard expression softened just slightly. “He covered his tracks well. Otherwise, we’d have known each other long ago.”
Marco blinked in confusion, wondering when exactly he’d ever “hidden” anything. But he shook it off quickly and raised his voice for everyone to hear.
“Everyone, allow me to introduce Zane Mitchell of the Mitchell family in New York—the true heir, the Crown Prince of the capital itself! The Mitchells are the Ramirez family’s greatest allies!”
The applause was immediate, loud, and almost desperate. The guests practically fell over themselves to flatter the Mitchell heir.
Marco Ramirez, however, had his eye on me. He noticed I was still sitting comfortably on the sofa.
“Boy, who the hell do you think you are, staying seated?” he barked, his oily face twisting with disdain.
Evelyn Carter’s voice cut in, sharp with command. “Nick Whitmore, stand up!”
