nual Gala, the event where fortunes were made and reputations were executed. Arga's hand was a heavy, possessive weight on the small of Zara's back. He hadn't sp

playing chess. She w

eye in the room pivoted toward them the moment they stepped into the golden light of the chan

g near her ear. "You look like you're heading t

, her voice low and danger

g with a group of investors, holding crystal flutes of champagne as if they hadn't just s

as she whispered something to a young man Zara didn't recognize. The sight of her sister's face-the same face tha

whispered, noddin

receding hairline and eyes that looked like they had seen too many dark rooms. He was the man who had

ay away from him, Zara. I mean it. I'll

mine," Zara said. She pulled away from A

hout causing a scene. He was immediately swamped by a group of bankers,

Bram first. She

said, stepping in

her, Rudi, straightened his suit, a flicker of discomfort cr

a stepped back, avoiding his touch. The rejection was loud

factory is saved? Is that why you're smiling so much, Dad? Or is it

ke that. We did what was best for the family.

harp, jagged mockery. "I'll be sure to send a thank-you note. Maybe I'll write it on the back

Zara, please... don't be so bitter. We were all so worried

t, Intan? That's funny. I slept like a log. In fact, I don't remember a single thing after you

her parents, but they were busy trying to look aw

ow. I have access to things you can't even dream of. Private investigators. Security teams. Lawyers who can find a needle in a haystack. I'm

in a puddle of their own fear. She felt a rush of adrenaline. It was

was Bram

ach with a smirk that made her skin crawl. He didn't lo

I must say, marriage suits you. You look much

a bed you paid for, Bram," Zara said. She didn't

rl. You're playing in a league where peop

rug to try and destroy Arga. You didn't care that there was a

was getting too big for his boots. He needed a reminder that he's not in

Arga is worried about his stock prices. He's worried about his reputation. But me? I have nothing left to lose. I'v

are you going to do? Tell the police? Arga

d pulled out a digital recorder. She tapped the screen. *"...Business is w

ction of a second. His hand gripped the glass so har

means I have the power to destroy you without ever stepping into a courtroom. I'm going to give this recording to Arga

room, her heart pounding against her ribs. She felt sick, her stomach chu

oked furious. He grabbed her arm and pulled he

u talking to Bram. I saw his face. Zara, you hav

d, holding up the device. "He admitte

vanished, replaced by a raw, calculating hunger. He took the devi

leaned against the wall, the adrenaline finally starting to fade, leaving her feeling hollow and

in the hotel, he didn't look at her like a problem to be sol

dangerous than I th

o idea," Za

onfrontation with Bram began to ripple through the room. People looked at her differently now. She was

mind clearly miles away, probably already drafting the legal and fi

dewalk. He looked pathetic. He was staring at the car, his face a mask of longing and regret. He had

ny satisfaction. S

ght to his study, the digital recorder clutched in his hand. Zara

edge of the bed. The house was quiet, but her mind was screaming. She had

e door made h

jacket, his shirt was unbuttoned at

doorway. "My legal team is already working on it. B

" Zara

ming through the window, casting long, dramatic shadows across the floor. "Why did yo

im. "Everyone in my life has treated me like a pawn. Intan, my dad, Dion... eve

idn't touch her, but she could feel the he

inked.

"I was out of control. I've spent my whole life being the one in charge, and that night

. But his eyes were tired and honest. For

. "I hate what you represent.

," Arga

ts. His touch was warm, and this time, Zara didn't pull away.

Zara," Arga said. "But maybe

ir joined hands. "

s from hers. "Partners. In a v

gainst hers, two broken people in a beautiful cage, waiting for

here. Her father was still out there. And somewhere in the dark, a new enemy was alrea

ed. "Tomorrow, we fin

k. But in her dreams, she saw a glass of milk, a hotel room key, and a pair of eyes that lo

next move belonged to the sister sh