pte

rst Crack i

nerves. Fred didn't follow but his eyes did. Samuel lingered inside, confused but respectful. Forlan took

a softer tune. Smiles retu

ent. The undercurrent eased, like a

The game had changed and now, each player

hose empire spanned real estate, luxury interior design, and an ever-growing list of exotic

wasn't just expensive it was obsessive. Every room was curated to elicit submission: deep leather ch

enough to win. He needed to devour. Real estate was his empire's backbone, but he had many ribs: casinos tucked into opulent resorts, underground dog-figh

ed his approach to women: calculated,

lovers; rather, he took them. And once acquired, he studied them like he would a high-stakes investment. He knew their weaknesses, what made them beg, what made them scream. He never pressed, and he never needed to. He manipulated, tempted, intoxicated. His con

for two months, never the same after. Or Naomi, the fashion consultant from Tel Aviv, who swore she'd never fall for

only wore his shirts for two weeks and drank expensive champagne with nothing left to dream about. She return

in remorse. To him, people were weaknesses

istant, once expressed concern regarding a woman who showed up at th

abyrinth of legality. Paperwork in other people's names. Cameras conveniently malfunctioning.

his mind, he gave people exactly what they secretly wanted:

ad his sights

it in the way she held her champagne. The way she didn't flinch when he got too clo

is one could break something in him if he wasn't

lm of the party f

returned too, her composure seemingly intact, but something in her had shi

they were briefly alone. "No," she replie

eal estate jargon-on the surface. But Forlan's posture had c

m. A smirk tugged at the edge of his mouth unreadable to anyone but

one. A coded phrase from Don Williams: "The b

its meaning. He didn't realize Rebecc

ed, deliberately. "You're enjoyin

thout breaking eye contac

with things you

ed. "Isn't t

. The storm was still gathering. And