hum of the city outside seemed miles away, drowned by the air of tension within the room. Paisley sat across from him, her eyes narrowing as she

t want to just win this, Paisley. I need your he

und the edge of the file in her hands. Person

tch, more vulnerable now. I don't care about the business anymore

cold, detached man she was used to. The hardness in his eyes was th

ped, keeping her voice steady. Not after ever

didn't back down. His jaw clenched, and his fingers brushed against the edge of the d

e the feeling that there was more at play than just the casemore than just

r eye. Stephan's posture shifted, his eyes darkening. The

phan's presence was overwhelmingevery inch of him exuded power, control. But tonight,

other. The contact was brief, yet electric. A shock ran through

w a flicker of something, something familiar, something dangerous. Her breath cau

ked quietly, his voice

hand where their skin had touched. Her pulse hamme

from her ear. I'm not using you. I'm trying to

e world disappeared. The weight of their history, the unsaid words, the past that still ling

Stephan's fingers grazed her wrist, the touch lingering just long enough to make h

back off. But she didn't. Her body betrayed her. Instead, she re

, she whispered, though her voice

returning to his expression.

back as a man stepped into the room. His presence was like a storm so heavy and suffocating. His

esting, the man said,

acade of vulnerability vanishing. He rose slowly,

ard, his eyes flicking between the two of them. N

ng just turned into something far more perilous. Stephan's gaze turned co

This is just the beginning, Paisle