The Price of Pride

di Aesia Lrae (Autore)

WHITEHEAD AESIA LRAE, 2025

In fact, Libby Tennent lied. She had entered through the revolving brass and glass doors, crossed the impressive marble-floored lobby, and was already in front of the elevators when a security guard asked her where she was going. "I have an appointment with Mr. Zverev," Libby replied. –It's possible, but you have to sign in at reception before taking the elevator. "Of course!" she exclaimed casually, as if she'd forgotten the formality. Everything about the place was breathtaking. It was a luxurious building in Mayfair, and she had already realized, while riding in the taxi, that meeting Daniil Zverev might not be as easy as her father had assured her. Still, she went to the reception desk and repeated the story to a very pretty receptionist. She told her she had an appointment with Mr. Zverev and hoped the woman wouldn't realize that, in fact, the appointment was with her father, Lindsey Tennent. -What's it called? –Miss Tennent. Libby watched her type and saw her eyes narrow slightly as she looked at the computer screen. –One moment, please. He picked up a phone and began to give the information. "A… Miss Tennent has come in. She says she has an appointment with Mr. Zverev." He paused and looked at Libby. "Your first name?" "Libby," she realized then, judging by the security guard's attitude, they might ask for her ID. "He's a diminutive of Elizabeth. Libby tried to appear calm and avoided twisting a strand of hair around her finger or tapping her feet like she did when she was nervous. Still, she was nervous. Well, not really nervous, but uncomfortable about having agreed to do that. Although she might have been able to save herself because the receptionist shook her head as she hung up the phone. –Mr. Zverev cannot receive her. "Excuse me?" Libby blinked at both the refusal and the lack of an explanation or apology. "What do you mean? I have..." –Mr. Zverev only sees by appointment, and you don't have one, Miss Tennent. –Yes, I have it… "There's a Mr. Tennent who has an appointment at six. If he can't make it, he should have called to see if someone could be substituted. Mr. Zverev doesn't see just anyone." Libby knew when she was defeated. She'd hoped they wouldn't notice the difference, as they would have in most places. She'd been tempted to apologize for the mistake and leave, but her father had shed a few tears when he'd asked her to do that for him. She knew how much was at stake in this date and made an effort to remain firm. She stood as straight as her slightly oversized frame would allow and looked the receptionist in the eye. "My father had a car accident this morning. That's why he couldn't come, so he sent me. Now, please tell Mr. Zverev that I'm here to meet him. He knows very well the reason for my visit. Would you prefer that I explain it to you?" The receptionist glanced at someone behind her and someone to her left. Apparently, they had an audience, and the receptionist must have decided the lobby wasn't the place to discuss the big boss's business, because she shrugged tensely. -One moment. He made another call, away from Libby, and eventually returned to give her a pass. Finally, he'd been allowed past the barrier protecting Daniil Zverev. The elevator door opened, and he stepped inside. Even the elevator was luxurious. It had plush carpeting, air conditioning, and dim lighting, something she was grateful for after spending an entire hot summer afternoon running across London to get there. She shouldn't have let her father convince her. In fact, when she had agreed to try to convince this man to come to her parents' fortieth wedding anniversary celebration, she had expected to run into a man named Daniel Thomas. However, her father called her back just as she was about to leave.

• Autore: Aesia Lrae
• Anno edizione: 2025
• Editore: WHITEHEAD AESIA LRAE
• Formato: EPUB2 con DRMFREE
• Compatibilità: Tutti i dispositivi (eccetto Kindle)
• Layout: Reflowable
• EAN: 9798232916503

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