“This should be the last time you'd pull such stunts. Is that clear?” Mr. Avalon growled threateningly at his daughter.

Trisha Avalon, a very popular socialite whose luxurious lifestyle preceded her, sat on the edge of a bed with her face downcast.

Right now, she looked nothing like the picture the world had painted of her. She was supposed to be refined and elegant, beautiful and breathtaking.

Instead, mascara ran down the length of her face showing that she'd been crying. Her platinum blonde hair was a mess with a lot of knots in it.

She sat quietly with her hands folded on her laps.

Anger radiated off her body in waves, but she tried to contain it in the presence of her parent.

Mr. Avalon was a strict man, popular like his daughter. He was known across the world as a shrewd businessman and his attractive golden boy features gathered him a lot of fans in the women's space.

“Is. That. Clear.” He repeated, stabbing his fingers in her skull to drive his point home.

Trisha stifled a sob and nodded briskly.

“Good. Now, by nightfall, I want you dressed and looking your best. We are having some guests.” He ordered, and stormed out.

Trisha was surprised. Not that they didn't get guests, but because she was actually going to meet them.

Her father was under the ancient state of mind that women were mere accessories to be seen and not heard.

All her life following the death of her mother, she'd been invisible at home, watching her father and brother run her life along with the family business.

Finally gathering courage to free herself from the gold gilded cage in which she lived, she'd gathered her things and hightailed it to Monaco.

This was very far from Los Angeles' Beverly hills where her father and life was based.

But in the end, her brother, Maverick had traced her to this place and had brought their father along with him.

Tears fell freely down her eyes following his departure, but she quickly wiped it off and got to her feet.

A good look in the mirror showed her her real self behind the socialite mask— miserable and lost.

She walked away from the mirror to stare out of the vast window of the new house her father bought.

It was a new day in Monaco, and the adventurous spirit of the people seemed high, but not Trisha's.

She was miserable and tired. Without another thought, she staggered to her bed and threw herself onto it.

Curling in on herself, she shut her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Four hours later, she was still asleep when a tall, strapping young man walked into her room with a small jewelry box in hand.

He had a resemblance to Trisha although his hair was a more golden shade and his facial features were slightly feminine.

Maverick was super attractive, but his permanent poker faced expression gave him a grave aura that made people be on their toes around him.

Staring down at his sleeping sister, a deep emotion flashed in his eyes as he moved to rouse her.

“What are you doing here?”

He rolled his eyes at her words and threw the jewelry box at her.

“Change of plans. Father wants us to meet at an event in two hours. Can you manage to get dressed that quickly?”

Trisha glared at him and grabbed the jeweler box.

Inside it was a diamond studded choker. It was a massive beauty and Trisha's soft spot for jewelry pieces almost made her fall for her father's kind gesture.

“Why did he send me this?” She mumbled to herself before turning to her brother. “What is he planning, Maverick?”

Maverick gritted his teeth and buried his fisted hands in his pockets before glaring coldly at her.

“You seriously don't expect me to give you a reply when you ask me in that tone. Get dressed, I'll be waiting downstairs.” He replied coldly and walked out.

Trisha rolled her eyes and got out of bed mentally blaming her parents for the mutual hatred between her and her twin brother.

A dress was already waiting for her on the bed when she exited the bathroom. After a quick lazy makeup, Trisha emerged from her room looking like a freshly descended goddess.

Maverick merely glanced at her and nodded in satisfaction when she got into the awaiting vehicle.

“Tell me again. Why am I meeting with Dad's business associates?” Trisha questioned offhandedly as she retouched her make-up.

If she'd been looking, she'd have seen the tense look on Maverick's face at her question.

“I am not telling you. It's not my place to.” He spat coldly.

Trisha became puzzled before anger at his rude behavior clouded her sense of reasoning.

She resisted the urge to really hiss at him.

“Oh, now we are playing honor, aren't we?” She spat sarcastically.

“What's that supposed to mean?” Maverick didn't look up from his phone, but his irritation was obvious in the way he clenched his fists until they were whitened.

“Why did you bring our father to Monaco?”

“I didn't.”

Trisha barked out a sharp scoff. “Indeed. You didn't. And I'm supposed to believe that?” She snapped.

At this, Maverick turned to her with a sneer on his lips.

“Did you think I didn't know you were trying to leave Los Angeles at that time? I did, yet I kept quiet for two weeks. Why do you think I'd suddenly betray myself by telling Father?” He gritted out in a disdainful voice.

Trisha was stunned quiet. Back then, she'd thought her escape plan was foolproof.

Refusing to back down, she folded her arms around her ample bosom and huffed.

“I don't believe you.”

“I don't want you to.” Maverick said in an incredibly soft tone just as the vehicle rolled to stop before the venue hall.