ecure underground parking garage of Axel's luxury hi

orted her toward a private, stainless-steel elevator. He pressed his thumb agai

loor. The sudden, intense acceler

dominated by black marble floors, sharp geometric furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlo

ng table. A thick stack of legal doc

l agreement," Jayson explained, his tone strictly profes

age. The draconian terms jumped out at her: no alimony, no asset div

d behind his back, fully expecting tears, desperate negoti

l signature page. Her expression remained comp

ned her name with smooth, steady strokes.

ed his stoic face. He had never seen a woman show such a comp

em in his leather briefcase. "A guest room has

She followed his directions down a long, sile

ld gray tones. She stood perfectly still, listening until J

the deadbolt, locking it with a solid click. She leaned her

marble bathroom and flipped

ask. She set it on the sink. Then, her fingers found the edge of her cheek. She pi

chemical burns cam

mation was gone. The skin, though still pale

d out a small, unmarked glass vial containing a clear liquid. It wa

. The cool liquid instantly soothed the minor irritati

he pulled out a cheap, thick burner phone. She power

the status of her hidden offshore bank accounts. The funds

stolen Caldwell Pharmaceuticals patent data. Kar

d the files, her mind working at lightning speed, plotting exactly

former lab assistant in Switzerland,

penthouse front door opening ech

owered down the burner phone and shoved i

reapplied it to her cheek, using a small brush to ensu

er ears. In seconds, she transformed ba

heavy footsteps approached her bedroom door. She l