Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 11-2

The phone rang, interrupting Danielle’s attempts to piece together the night.

"Sweetie, coming home for breakfast? Your Dad and I are waiting." Vivian’s warm voice came through.

"No need to wait for me, Mom. I’ll grab something here at my friend’s place before heading back," Danielle replied sweetly.

"Alright honey. Drive safe."

"Will do."

After hanging up, Danielle turned to Juniper with growing dread. "Who was the person last night?"

"Oh, just David Charrington, CEO of Charrington Group and possibly the most dangerous man in the business world. You treated him like a high-end escort. It was quite a show, but he still drove you back,"

Juniper replied.

go." Danielle vanished at

summoned his right- hand man. "Nathan, full background check on last night’s woman.

thirty minutes. Also, the Waywood Club auction is tomorrow-they’ve got the Crimson Lily listed,"

Juniper’s place, Danielle sent a message to Emery: [Need everything

Emery: [Suspecting something specific?]

Danielle:

[Yes.]

to the Darlings, things weren’t adding up. How did a kidnapper dodge

more she thought about it, the more it felt like an inside job-someone close to the family must have

If someone orchestrated this, made you suffer all

at the Darlings’ Treeside Villa, Audrey was performing concern with theatrical precision. "Mom, where’s Danielle? Don’t tell me she didn’t come

at a friend’s. It’s sweet that you’re worried about your sister," Vivian replied

she just got to Soulfield-what ’friends’ could she have? I hate to suggest anything, but... I worry about her lifestyle choices, being so new here. I’m sorry, Mom,