Love Me, Keep My Name — Trouble at Moretti Pier

Alden Risk Advisory had been hired to review related party transactions for a hotel group preparing to go public. I opened the assignment. Client, Marekie Holdens.

At nine the next morning, all seven of us sat in the waiting area at Nassau County Court. We hadn't waited 20 minutes when Sophia's phone buzzed. She opened the security alert, and the blood drained from her face. The camera feed showed staff carrying clothing racks, studio light, and sample trunks out of the West Wing.

The suite wasn't her bedroom. Three years ago, Mom had promised to turn it into mine. Then Sophia's jewelry label expanded, and the rooms became her temporary photo Temporary had quietly became permanent.

They're throwing out all my design archives. Sophia shot to her feet, her breath quickening. I can't breathe. Please, please take me home. Sophia doubled over, coughing hard with one hand clamped to her chest.

Mateo stabilized her. Luca punched the elevator button. Mom called for the car, and Nico kept his arm around Sophia's shoulders. Last night, every one of you promised you would stay.

We can finish the paperwork this afternoon. Those designs are years of Sophia's work. The staff are boxing them up. Nothing is being destroyed.

Can't you cut her some slack for once? You call it once every time. In under two minutes, all five of them were inside the elevator. Dad's phone rang just as the doors opened.

There was trouble at a Moretti Pier.