CHAPTER SIXTY – COOL CADENCE

The limo glided to a stop in front of the entrance and the driver hurried to open the door. Julian stepped out first, straightening the jacket of his tailored navy suit. He turned and offered Charlotte his hand with an encouraging smile. As she emerged from the car, attempting her most confident smile, the massive front doors swung open. A stern-faced butler in formal attire stood at the entrance. "Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Preston." Charlotte arched an eyebrow at the honorific but said nothing as they crossed the threshold into the cavernous marble foyer. Every surface gleamed, from the polished checkerboard floors to the elaborate crystal chandelier overhead. "Jules! There you are!" A tinkling voice preceded a willowy, elegant woman sweeping into the foyer. Victoria Preston's hair was an immaculate silver bob and she wore a fitted sheath dress with strings of pearls. Every inch the Boston Brahmin matriarch. She air kissed her son's cheeks before turning scrutinizing brown eyes t