Katherine's lips curled in satisfaction the moment the uniformed officers stepped into the ballroom.She clutched James’s arm tightly, leaning into him with a victorious gleam in her eyes.“I knew it,” she said sweetly. “He must’ve escaped. Now he’ll be dragged back in handcuffs like the filthy criminal he is.”James chuckled, chest puffed with arrogance.“Took them long enough,” he said. “Let’s wrap this up. Officer!” He called out loudly. “That’s him—Yemin Ravallor. Escapee. Car thief. Arrest him!”The guests murmured again, torn between confusion and amusement.Faye’s brows furrowed as she watched the cops fan out.Wait... he didn’t escape? Then why are they here now, after everything?Before anyone could move, Captain Ford stepped forward, clearing his throat. He removed his hat with forced formality and gave a curt nod to Katherine.“Miss Shaw. Apologies for interrupting your celebration,” he said. “But I have an official announcement.”Katherine beamed and gave a dainty wave to

Faye stood in the shadows of the ballroom, biting the inside of her cheek as the weight of her guilt sank deeper into her chest.She watched Yemin calmly laugh at something Alessia whispered in his ear, the two of them standing far too close under the soft chandelier light. He looked at ease. Effortless. Important.How could I think he stole a car?The memory clawed at her. He had risked his safety to get her out of trouble at the last party. He was the reason she had her contract with Group Morgan. And yet, when he needed someone, she chose silence.I left him alone… like everyone else.She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the growing ache in her chest.In a very different room, James Franx was throwing a tantrum behind steel bars.“You’re ALL fired when I get out of here!” he barked, kicking the bars like a wild animal. “My father will sue this entire precinct!”The cell next to him laughed. “Man, shut up.”“I’m serious!” James shouted back. “I’ll have your badge, your house, your w

Katherine slunk back into the grand ballroom, her shoulders hunched and her eyes downcast. The glittering chandeliers and champagne flutes that had earlier symbolized her triumph now only illuminated her defeat. Guests whispered as she passed, their curious eyes following her disheveled appearance.Victoria Shaw, Katherine's mother, immediately noticed her daughter's distress and rushed over, her silk gown rustling as she moved swiftly across the marble floor."Katherine! What happened? Where is James?" Victoria demanded, her perfectly made-up face creased with concern.Katherine pulled her mother to a quiet corner near the dessert table. "They won't release him, Mother," she whispered, her voice trembling. "The chief said only Yemin can drop the charges. Yemin! That nobody!"Victoria's eyes narrowed as she studied her daughter's face. "Stop this pathetic display right now," she hissed. "You're a Shaw. Act like it.""But Mother—""No buts!" Victoria snapped, her voice low but fierce.

The chandeliers of Cristallo, the most exclusive restaurant in the city, cast a warm glow over the pristine white tablecloths. Alessia Wrenford, daughter of Richard Wrenford—CEO of Wrenford Pharmaceuticals—waited impatiently, drumming her manicured nails against her water glass.When Yemin finally arrived, her eyes widened in disbelief. He strolled in wearing faded jeans and a simple button-down shirt, completely out of place among the tuxedoed waiters and designer-clad patrons."You couldn't dress appropriately for a place like this?" Alessia hissed as he sat down across from her.Yemin shrugged. "My appearance has nothing to do with how I can help you."Alessia eyed him skeptically. "Looking at you now, I'm seriously questioning if you can help me at all." Despite her harsh words, the memory of her father praising Yemin's capabilities after the poisoning incident kept her seated."Why don't you tell me exactly what you need?" Yemin said, ignoring the menu a waiter placed before him.

Katherine's laughter echoed through the lavish executive suite as she hung up the phone. Her assistant stood nervously by the door, clipboard clutched to her chest."Did you see the market reports this morning?" Katherine asked, spinning her chair to face the floor-to-ceiling windows. "Faye's precious company lost fifteen percent of its value overnight.""Yes, Ms. Katherine," the assistant murmured."Call Thompson at Financial Times. I want to feed him more details about our 'insider information.'" Katherine's red lips curled into a vicious smile. "Make sure he understands that despite landing the Morgan Group contract, Faye's company is hemorrhaging cash at an alarming rate.""But is that accurate, Ms. Katherine? The quarterly reports don't show—"Katherine slammed her palm on the desk. "Did I ask for your analysis? Just do it! And make sure to emphasize her association with that car thief Yemin. Investors hate scandal almost as much as they hate debt."Across town, Faye paced her of