“Just because I’ve asked a few questions, which apparently your supercilious ego can’t take, you’re going to call the whole thing off?” Joanna said, rising to her feet. “Fine, if that’s what you want, then get the hell out of my house. I’ve already missed enough time at work, and as those background reports clearly show, I can’t afford to do that. So, if you don’t mind, I need to go upstairs and get changed. I have offices to clean.”

Fran began gathering the papers and folders, but when Joanna looked in Addison Kane’s direction, the woman hadn’t moved. Her expression was as still as stone, but her eyes betrayed her. They were now glittering slits blazing with the rage that comes from fury. The quiet of the kitchen was interrupted by the click of the latches on Fran’s attaché, and Joanna flinched. She looked at Fran and noticed her briefcase was now sitting on the floor, but the lawyer had yet to get to her feet.

“What are you waiting for?” Joanna said, placing her hands on her hips. “Another cup of coffee?”

“I’d love one. Thanks,” Millie said, returning to her place at the table. “And then I think you should sit down and let Fran finish what she was saying.”

“Millie—”

“Joanna, please. Just refill my cup and sit back down. I promise, when you hear what Fran has to say, you’ll know why I thought you were the perfect candidate for this.”

Resigned to the fact that no one was leaving her house just yet, Joanna did as Millie asked and then sat down, focusing her attention solely on Fran Neary. “Right, here I am. Explain.”

Of all the things Addison Kane had to agree to, the next point had been the most difficult and Fran knew it, so taking a moment, she looked over at Addison. Their eyes met, and Fran silently asked permission to go on.

Knowing she had absolutely no choice, Addison let out a quick breath and bowed her head ever so slightly. It was the only way.

Relieved, Fran returned her eyes to Joanna. “What Addison said was correct, Joanna. There won’t be any contract.”

“What?” Joanna said, slouching in her chair. “I...I don’t understand.”

“When Addison’s ancestors began the company, they built it on the values of family, love, and trust. Back in the day, when so many marriages were arranged in order to build an empire or fatten the coffers, they believed that marriage was sacred, and it should only happen when two people love one another. Where there’s love, there’s trust.”

“That makes sense,” Joanna said with a bob of her head.