ained in the same chair, her fingers trembling slightly as she gripped the edge of the table. She knew that Alexander hadn't let her off easy. There was always more to his int

d every inch of the space around him-and, in many ways, he did. Isabella stiffened in her chair, trying

xander observed, his voic

bella replied,

ok fine. In fact, you look like a woman who's

s racing. She had realized that long ago

u see, Isabella, in my world, there are rules-rules that are not meant to

coldness in his voice. She did

as less of a request and more of a demand. She straightened up

me, she noticed the intensity in his eyes. There was something da

w and steady. "The people around you are not your friends. They will use you for their own gain. The

d feel her breath catch in her throat as he reached out and touched her chin, lifting her face so that she was forced to

g to be the one who rises above them all. You're going to be th

trying to find her

er. It's not just about following orders. It's about learning how to manipulat

manipulate or betray anyone. But as the reality of her situation settled in, she realized that resisting

t the door. Alexander's eyes flicked toward i

e, his face grim. He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice low

al. She had heard whispers of it before, but now it was real

Isabella, the mood in the room shifting like a storm

e. "He's been skimming from the accounts, funneling money to

tightened. "He'l

toward Isabella, his gaze shifting from the icy indiff

voice low but filled with intent. "In this world, loyalt

ght that being with Alexander meant living a life of luxury, of privilege, of power.

ing people to your will. Alexander was a master of that, and Isabella was beginning to see

id coldly, his gaze fixed on her. "And yo

she was ready to learn the lessons Alexander wanted to teach her. But as she look

her rea