voice cracked with urgency, her frustration boili

om, let's not jump to conclusions. Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding. Maybe Yelen

't just some trinket-it's an original design by Yvonne, a true masterpiece. Irreplaceable. Yelena knew exactly what it was wor

d out like a whip, dr

ng into a faintly sympathetic smile. "If she loves it so much, let her keep it. It's not like we'll see her again anyway.

xpression unreadable. Each line, each gesture, was

lives, they could make a fortune in the theater

light. Without a word, she approached Sonya, holding the clasp up to her face. "Take

ted. Narrowing her eyes, she leaned in, her gaze falling on

, her voice faltering as her shock momentar

acelet made unique to its owner. Not only that, but as a limited edition, every single piece is registered with an identification code. One-of-a-ki

otsteps broke the silence. A servant descended the

s the bracelet you've

nce, all eyes locking onto the

nd let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Oh, there it is

ic bubbling just beneath the surface. What happened? She had

a cool, condescending smirk. "Well, Sonya, do you still think I stole y

, how could you possibly afford something like this? Unless..." She paused, her smile twisting into something uglier. "Un

bout that line of work, Sonya. Tell me-was it firsthand experience that taught you how these trades operate?

ning and closing in sputtering outrage. "Y

she slammed her fist against the armrest. "How dare you speak to Sonya like

ed with icy resolve. "Beg me on your knees, and still, I wouldn't st

or. She didn't hesitate, didn't look back. For her, the Roberts family and their hollow pret

sneered behind her, venom

s curling into a smile of satisfaction. In her mind

illa shrinking behind her. Her phone buzzed in her

you out?" Brody Hewitt's voice w

plied evenly, her ton

, and then Brody'

ignation. "They're the definition of fair-weather friends. Without you, Jonathan Roberts would still

her voice calm but firm. "Any up

her than an intentional act of abandonment. That distinction linger

ustration. "Yes, the search is in progre

crisply, ending the cal

rp, metallic scent drifted on the cold

ows furrowing as unease pric

rt was soaked in blood, the crimson staining his chest and hands. Each

t your fate!" a menacing voi

ressed in black, stalked after the injured man like predators closing

efiant. His face was pallid, his breaths shallow, y

he man then turned to his group.

tly, his gaze shifting to the si

as all eyes t

ect. Today had been a series of es

se men had no intention of

tood before her-the bloodied m

irk, stepped forward. His eyes roamed over her, lingering

rkly, their laughter carrying

his gaze lingered on her. "Once we deal with this guy, we'll take real good

nsity that froze the air between them. She uttered a single word, her voi

ring, but their laughter faltered when they

sleek needles shimmered, the

re any of them could process the shift in her stance, she moved. With fluid precision, her

hroats, shoulders, legs-their targets incapacita

lipping from their hands. Their jeering confidence dissolve

stay upright, stared at the

s this

ar beyond anything he had ever witnessed. Sh