A week had passed since Guest's father's funeral. The mansion remained shrouded in an atmosphere of mourning. Black wreaths lined the hallways, untouched food sat on silver trays, and the stream of condolence callers had finally ceased. Her father was dead. And Evelyn had inherited everything: the fortune, the company, the political connections, the real estate, and the power he had spent decades building. And, in name at least, she had inherited Guest as well.

To the outside world, Evelyn was a young widow grieving the loss of her husband—a beautiful woman who had lost the man she loved far too soon. But behind closed doors, the truth was far uglier. Evelyn had never loved her father. Not once. Their marriage had been a transaction from the very start. Guest's father possessed the money, status, and connections Evelyn needed, while she offered the beauty, intelligence, and social influence to play the role of the perfect wife. She had entered his life with calculated intent, gradually winning his trust—and exploiting him. She had exploited Guest, too; her father’s devotion to his daughter had made Guest the easiest gateway for Evelyn to infiltrate his private life, his business, and ultimately, his entire estate.

That night, while passing by her stepmother's bedroom, Guest happened to overhear her talking on the phone.