That hit harder than a slap. Rico’s grin vanished, his pride dented. He looked at her, searching for a sign she was joking, but her expression stayed calm — firm, composed, completely uninterested.He turned back slowly, smoke still curling from the cigarette between his fingers, a faint smirk creeping over his lips.“Your man?” he repeated, voice dripping with disbelief. “And where is this mystery man of yours? Leaving a pretty thing like you alone here in a place like this?”Sierra frowned. “He trusts me,” she said calmly.Rico laughed under his breath. “Trusts you? Or just doesn’t care?” He leaned closer to the table again, confidence swelling back into his tone. “Look, no disrespect, but I can already tell— whoever he is, he’s not doing enough for you.”Betty raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”Rico grinned wider, ignoring her. “Come on, I can tell class when I see it. You deserve more than some broke-hearted, average guy who probably drives an old car and promises you dreams he can’t

The murmur in the room rose again, some faces curious, some disgusted. A few men near the bar shifted, tempted by the money and the promise of a fight; others lowered their heads, uncomfortable with how far Sophia had pushed things. The bartender’s jaw tightened. He exchanged a look with a burly man by the back — one of the lounge’s off-duty security — who was already inching forward.“Boss is not in, Miss Bennett,” the bartender said carefully, stepping between Sophia and the table. “I can’t have this here. Please — calm down.”Sophia laughed like it was an insult. “Don’t lecture me. You forget who keeps this place full of people. You forget who brings the clients, the money. I know the owner. I know everyone who matters.” She spat the last words as if proving them made the world bend to her.From the corner, the three men who’d been watching Sierra glanced at one another. The first man’s hand twitched toward his cigarette; the second, the middle one — the one who had earlier said to

The boss’s hand flashed out. His slap landed hard across the man’s face.The man’s head jerked to the side and he collapsed to the cold floor, coughing and stunned.The other men shivered, fear running over their faces. They drew their knees closer to their chests and hugged themselves as if to stay small.Ragnar bent down and glared at them. “You are useless,” he said slowly, each word like a cut. “If you cannot even collect money, if one man can beat you all, then you are nothing. Do better—or I will replace you.”They bowed their heads lower, shame and terror making their bodies shake. Ragnar straightened, his coat brushing the floor, and walked out of the room.Behind the motorbike that trailed Sierra and Betty’s car, an old dark jeep followed quietly — its headlights dimmed, keeping a safe distance. Inside were the three men from the Aurum Lounge who had been watching Sierra earlier.The man in the passenger seat flicked ashes from his cigarette out the window, eyes narrowing as

“Elijah!” she gasped, her face flushing instantly with embarrassment. She jumped up from the sofa, pulling her blanket over herself in panic.“I—I didn’t know anyone was awake!” she stammered, her voice trembling slightly as she fumbled to fix her clothes and switch off the television completely. The silence that followed was so heavy it felt like the air itself had stopped moving.Elijah blinked, caught between surprise and confusion. He hadn’t expected this — not at all. His expression stayed calm, but there was no mistaking the hint of awkwardness in his eyes.Jessica, unable to meet his gaze, kept talking quickly, nervously. “I wasn’t— I mean— it wasn’t what it looked like, I just couldn’t sleep, so I— I turned on the TV and—”Elijah raised a hand lightly, cutting her off before she tangled her words further. “It’s fine,” he said quietly. “You don’t have to explain.”Her face burned even redder. “I swear I didn’t mean—”“Jessica,” Elijah said again, his tone calm but gentle. “Rela

Phantom stared at Elijah as if trying to confirm he’d heard right.Lucian gave a smug half-smile. “Finally, he admits it,” he said coldly.Aurora’s expression didn’t change, but her tone carried venom. “And for that offense,” she said, “your presence here brings ruin upon anyone foolish enough to shelter you.”Elijah stood tall, unflinching, his gaze meeting hers. “Then I guess I’ll have to protect them,” he said quietly. “And make sure your threats end here.”Phantom’s breath caught as realization hit him like a punch.“Elijah…” he muttered under his breath, eyes widening.It all made sense now. Months ago, Elijah had casually asked him about the Halden family—their influence, their reach, their strength. Phantom had thought it was just curiosity, a harmless question. He’d told him then how the Haldens were not just powerful in Ironvale, but respected and feared across multiple cities. He’d warned him never to cross them.But he had no idea Elijah already had.Now, standing there in