<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Didact Gothic', 'sans-serif'"><span style="font-size: 15px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ffff">A malefic smog tainted the mood of the Lockhart household from sunrise, challenging Maeve to discover why things felt so eerily different as she stalked into the kitchen. She had been told to be there and to be ready, but it still somehow seemed like she was meant to walk as if literal eggshells spangled the kitchen tile. Her parents were camped out by the center island, the elbows of her father parked neatly on the granite surface, and her mother's face glued to a compact as she corrected her makeup in its reflection. Maeve's steely smoke-colored eyes sifted through their expressions, attempting to gain any insight on what was to be expected when they left the house. The evasion of eye contact on their part caused her throat to suddenly well with anxiety at the unknown. Whatever was going on, it didn't seem good.<br/>
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"<b>Well, I'm ready, so..</b>" She scratched insecurely at her collarbone, now evading eye contact to match their energy. Her father forcefully cleared his throat, straightening his posture, as well as his muted lavender tie. Her mother wore a navy a-line dress, hemmed at her knees. The older woman toyed with the jewels hanging around her neck, looking tremendously guilty about something unknown.<br/>
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Maeve knew by now it was borderline pointless to attempt to find out what was going on. People who worked in showbiz always hid things, even at the expense of their relationships. Even things that weren't really important. It was almost like keeping as many secrets as possible was a trophy to collect all on its own.<br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ffff">•</span><br/>
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The car ride was no less than tremendously awkward. It was like these people suddenly weren't her parents anymore. Her relationship with them was always reserved and strained, but it was more so now, and climbing every minute passed. All Maeve really knew was her order went as followed: '<i>We need you to ride along for this meeting. It'll be brief. Don't worry about needing to do anything, we'll take care of that.</i>' Truthfully, it didn't even occur to her as strange to hear something like that. They were always vague about their business matters. Why be suspicious of the norm, right?<br/>
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It was brisk and windy outside, and Maeve braced against it despite her generous amount of layers as the trio strode up the steps to the designated coffee shop as the agreed meeting place. Maeve skimmed over the small cluster of pedestrians inside, all seemingly taking care of their own business. Her brow hiked to a sharp arch of perplexity at the sight of Evie nearby. She accompanied her dad and two other suited modelesque men that kind of gave off a mafia-affiliation vibe. Lockhart's eyes shot toward her parents, mouth parting into a small 'o' as she prepared to speak. To inquire, rather. However, before words could form in her throat, she was silenced by the hawkish grip her father took on her upper arm. It was desperate and angry all in one, and suddenly alarm began to chisel an exclamation point into her brain. Something wasn't right.<br/>
<br/>
Still, with her father's rigid hold on her arm as he guided her onward, she remained mute.<br/>
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"<i>We're here. Good to see you both.</i>" The words from Maeve's father only rose more questions. Maybe observing obediently would answer them quicker than an uproar. She shot Evie a pleading look that begged for answers to what was going on.<br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ccff">Atlas crossed one ankle over the other beneath the table he and his brother lounged behind, an impatient visage defaulting his expression. His brother surfing the screen of his phone instilled an urge to do the same within his own mind, and he patted his silver suit jacket to feel for the rectangular outline of his galaxy. He pulled it out and gritted his teeth, just about to send the father of Evangeline a call when they suddenly made their presence known before them. He could have smiled in response to Henry's greeting, but that would imply that he was pleased to see him. Rather, the word 'finally' escaping his brother's lips was the perfect tone to set as an example for his own thoughts.<br/>
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The packet provided with Evangeline's information was neatly tucked away as she approached, obviously not wanting her to catch wind of what was going down. The last thing they needed was an explosive scene to erupt and throw the place into a flurry of uncomfortable turbulence.<br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ccff"><span style="font-size: 15px">Just as the picture disclosed, the girl before him was well endowed and attractive in all her visible features. Atlas resisted giving in to the simper that tried to carve into his cheek, a sense of satisfaction somehow encompassing him at the knowledge that he would be leaving with her in his possession. Maybe to someone else, it would be stunning, even disturbing that a man would be willing to pay off a debt with his daughter as currency. It wasn't anything abnormal to Atlas, who was not only numb to seeing the worst in others, but practically brought it out of them for a living.<br/>
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Atlas eyed Evangeline after shaking Henry's hand with formality, only glancing away to elbow his brother as the other girl arrived. It was hard to miss her mint hair walk in the place. She held a more willowy build than Eva, which wasn't as much of a preference for him. He was satisfied with his bounty.<br/>
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Once everyone was together, and vague coded wording was used to confirm the circumstances, Atlas tossed a look to Benjamin. Even though Trinity would hate this more than a 'bad hair day', the girls would be coming home with them. He would call his staff in the car to be certain everything was in order. They had a decent length ride ahead of them. A text chimed on his phone, letting him know that the limousine had arrived. Pulling himself to his feet, he grinned charismatically at the small group. "<b>Good meeting with you. Ladies, if you'll just follow me.</b>" He did his utmost to sound trustworthy in hopes that they would go with it.<br/>
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