ood in her living room without shoes on, spinning a glass of crimson wine between her fingers like magic. The man across from her didn't notice that her silk robe was open at the thigh

uld feel. Then she looked at the audience, and the business mask settled over her face. Zach walked a step behind her, his shoes too shiny and his steps too practised. But when he smiled, it hit. People answered. A man who had been investing for a long time patted him on the back and remarked, "We need more young men with guts in this business." Zach was grateful and even laughed. His voice never broke. His back didn't show the weight of borrowed pride. Fatima sipped her wine and watched from the corner of her eye. He was doing a good job. Better than she thought it would be. She hadn't told him this supper was a test, not just a show. After the Selene event, investors were circling and unsure. They needed to be sure tonight. "That's Monroe Holdings' dark horse?" Someone mumbled something beneath a glass of rosé. "Thought he was sleeping in a shelter last year," another muttered, narrowing their eyes. Fatima got it. She didn't move. But Zach's smile faded. "Don't pay attention to it," she replied softly. "They know," he said softly. "Let them guess." He gave her a look. "Do you still trust me?" "I trust you to choose who you are tonight," she said coldly. "That's all that counts." Then she turned, lifted her glass to a partner passing by, and walked away to talk to someone else. Zach stood under the chandelier, his nerves buzzing under his skin. Selene was across the room, leaning against a marble column in a wine-colored dress with no straps. Her lips twisted. She didn't say anything, but she kept looking. She turned her phone to the man beside her and showed him a picture of Zach carrying concrete in old jeans. "Quite the upgrade," she said in a low voice. The candlelight and quiet ambition made the dining room shine. Fatima heard soothing jazz, polished cutlery and quiet conversations in her brain. She couldn't take her eyes off the older couple at the end of the table. They were two big investors from Manhattan. Zach sat b