The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

By the end of the race, Connor had claimed the championship, his first-ever win at the rally. The crowd went wild-fans screamed his name, and beautiful women rushed over, angling for a spot on his arm. Yet even as he stood in the winner's circle, Connor's face remained unreadable.

Sure enough, Gwyneth was nowhere to be seen. She'd actually had the nerve to slip away right in the middle of his race.

He'd never met a woman he wanted to pursue, only to end up stood up like this. "Connor, we're hitting the bar tonight. The whole party's set up for you."

He felt hands clap him on the shoulders; a moment later he was hoisted up by his friends and swept off the track, wreathed in cheers and laughter.

Night fell suddenly over Greenvale, that old city humming with centuries of history. Under the pale moonlight, every stone and archway seemed steeped in stories and tradition.

"Mr. Kaufman, you're alone-should I call over some company for you?"

A snap of fingers, and a smiling beauty appeared at his side.

Connor sprawled on the couch, letting the woman kneel gracefully at his feet. She fed him fruit, peeled and sliced, and held her hand out to take the discarded skins and pits when he was done.

All around the private lounge, everyone had brought a date. There were flirtatious laughs and lingering touches, but nothing that crossed a line. Still, it was obvious to everyone-Mr. Kaufman was in no mood to celebrate.

party like this," Laird asked, glancing around the room and skipping right

he'd looked like someone owed him money. Nobody could figure out who'd managed to get under

town, I think. Heard he went traveling with his

Layne told me his uncle's getting married. The wedding's set for the end of the year, but they're having the ceremony at the bride's place

Hawthorne caught everyone's

stuff of legend. They'd all heard Layne talk about his uncle, but

of them, a true old-money

"No kidding? I've heard

supposed to be cold as ice,

the ascetic

a knockout model, but even drank, he just sat on the couch all night and never laid a finger on her

nobody's actually good enough. Layne's new girlfriend? She's as ordinary as they come-no way the Everharts would bless

obsessed," Connor drawled for the first time

as the marrying kind. I wonder what kind of woman could tie down a