s cleared dishes in tense silence, their eyes darting between the stunned faces

Amb

less so

ow in th

lding a contract wi

napkin. "Impossible," she muttered, shaking her head like she c

ce was pale beneath the chandelier light, the arrogance drained out of him. "How

finally broke his silence. His voice was low, g

t d

Vivienne dropped heavily into her ch

s calm, but his eyes, dark and unyi

" Harold

expand into this city. I arranged for them to choose Mercedes Corporation as their local par

his words stru

elite. Now, the door to true power had been handed to them not by Marcus, not

dings! Falcon Holdings would trust you with this?" She jabbed a manicu

eve what you will. The co

patriarch studied every line, every seal, every signature. His frown deepe

le like drills. For the first time in years, there w

rold folded the contract neatl

eave this room. Not unti

. If Harold found even the smallest flaw, Cole would be ruined.Vi

ed his head agai

rely contained. By morning, the entire city would be buzzing with rumors of t

a tugged at Cole's arm. "Co

ehind them. A black Mercedes idled at the curb, waiting. But Andrian

What just happened there? How do you know Falco

or a long moment, he said nothing, as if weig

y, he

na. My time would come. To

you've done? If that contract is fake, Father will destroy you. Marcus will ruin you. And if i

Everything I've done, I've done to protect you. T

e man she had defended all these year

tood there, his face shadowed under the p

ed now, strained. "Enjoy your little victory tonight. But don't get too

ly, the door slamming shut like a gunshot. The vehic

on Cole's sleeve. "He won'

int glint of steel flashin

is voice held the weight of some

door, sending a shelf of books trembling.Vivienne was already waiting inside, pacing like a ca

and? If Harold believes that contract is genuine, he'll start s

mbling with rage. "That's what you're afraid of, i

resolve hardened again almost instantly. "Then we won't give

t it, Mother. The seals, the signatures if it's forg

We'll go directly to Falcon Holdings. If they deny any knowledge of this deal, Cole will

destroying Cole sent a dark thrill through him.

l make the call tomorrow. By the time Falcon Holdings denies him

ile returned. It wasn't the boyish grin of arroga

e useless son-in-

a walked into their modest villa. The night

please. No more half-truths. If you don't tell me who you really are, I...."

rack before turning to face her.

dden parts of myself because the time wasn't right. But tonight..

You speak in riddles. Do you know how hard it is fo

face in his hands. "Trust me for a

elding, the words died. She had seen that look before, when they had nothing, when everyone mocked them, wh

I'll wait. But Cole... if you're

ngering there. "I would ra

ts stretched before him like rivers of fire. He pulled a phone from his pocket, not the cheap

t rang once before a voi

e voice said, cris

tightened

greement. Chairman Zane himself signed the contract, as ordered.

illa where Andriana slept peacefully. "Keep monit

ce hesitated. "An old acquaintance of yours has arri

on the railing. His

owered. "Da

ed. His chest tightened with a mix of memory and fury. Dami

in Cole's heart,

coldly. "If Damien wants to

d in the night, the dragon i

the Mercedes estate, gilding the marble floors w

lack coffee untouched before her. Marcus paced behind her like a res

alled back?" Vivien

e chairman is out of the country. But I left a message. If

or what he is,a fraud, a liar, a parasite. And when he's cast out

hen she'll finally be free to marry someone worthy. So

narrowed. "Do yo

She's beautiful, intelligent, lo

th approval. "Focus on Cole. Once he's gone, Andriana will be

against the table. Both l

, "this is Falcon Holdings' legal department. You i

ership agreement last night. Signed by Chairman Zane himsel

t Falcon Holdings has indeed entered into a partnership with Mercedes Corporatio

n cold. Marcus stared at her

can't be," s

matter," the voice cont

ne wen

from her fingers, clattering against the marble. Marcus ben

burning with hatred. "It's real," she

ng the silverware. "How? How does someone like

atter how. What matters is that he's a

ss. If we can't expose him as a fraud, we'll paint him as a danger. Once the pu

er into Father's ear. And if necessary..." She paused, her eyes glinting like steel. "...we'

eager. "And when we do, I'll pers

ight on rows of vendors selling spices, clothes, and electronics. To any passerby, he

a narrow alley. A man was waiting there, tall, sharp-suited, his pos

e man said with

slightly. "M

e. The contract is beyond question

an eyebrow

act with certain underground circles in the city. Rumors say he's positioning himself

was quick to worm his way into the sh

d about you, sir. By name. He told his men

clawed at him, a battlefield drenched in fire, betrayal searing like

"If he thinks he can finish it, then

owered. "Shall

come. Let him reveal his hand. When the t

tanding the unspoken weig

on added, "And your wife, sir? Should

im. For a long moment, sil

rything, she'd be dragged into the storm. For

f strangers.The underground club pulsed with bass, neon lights flickering across velvet b

y, men whispered deals, knives were hidden in sle

of it all sa

-shouldered, scar tracing his jawline, eyes like shards of ice. Damien exuded danger without effort. Ar

him, wringing his hands. "M-Mr. Kr

nger. The man fell

aced with threat. "I'm here for your loyalty. This city belongs to m

"And I'll bury you so deep your o

ically. "Y-Yes, Mr. Kross.

isfied. He dismissed the ma

close. "Boss, word is spreading. People are saying th

harpened. "And who ar

fully. "They say it was their son-

led on his glass. For a long moment, the music and ch

he la

It was low, cold, filled with

over the booth. His men tens

sneered. "I should've finished him that nigh

ts dared to ask, "Wh

low, then hurled it against the wall

he shadows. If Cole Ambers wants to rise in this city, I'll drag him

Tonight, every street, every alley, every whisper will carry one name. Cole

single lamp casting long shadows across the room. Andriana had finally fallen

wasn't on the contract or the Mercedes family's schemes

n Kro

clawed at him, but he forced them back into

d again. A mess

de contact with local syndicates. He int

ars, he had lived in silence, mocked, ignored, und

ed, his voice low, steady, dange

ide him stretc