Declan Raze’s breath hitched as he tightened his grip on the crutches, his knuckles pale against the cold steel.“It seems… Ms. Verrick still isn’t convinced of my sincerity,” he said, voice hoarse, barely keeping the strain out of his tone.Selena said nothing. Her arms were folded across her chest, her expression unreadable—eyes cold, chin raised, posture stiff. Vane stood behind her, jaw tense, Nora clutching the edge of the dining table as if needing something to hold on to.Declan forced a broken chuckle. “I don’t blame you. Not after the man I’ve been. My arrogance... my ignorance... it poisoned everything. It made me blind, and it made you doubt the truth of what I feel now.”He drew in a breath through clenched teeth. “But please. I beg you… believe me when I say this—I'm truly, deeply sorry.”Then, in a flash that stunned everyone in the room, Declan flung his crutches aside. They clattered violently to the floor. The man—leg in a full plaster cast—lurched forward with sheer

There was something off about the whole thing—and Selena felt it in her bones.She sat silently in her room, fingers lightly tapping her knee, mind turning over every detail of the morning's events.Declan Raze showing up like that, practically begging? That didn’t just happen. Not with a man like him. Not without someone pulling strings behind the scenes.And the only one who could’ve done that… was Jaden.But Jaden didn’t have that kind of reach.At least, not on his own.Her lips pressed into a thin line as a name resurfaced.Morix Sable.That's the only thing that would make sense? he'd showed up at Mia's school and somehow had a close relationship with Jaden and even helped them deal with the Kranes, so if anyone could handle a man like Declan it'd be that same Morix. Maybe Jaden had find a way to reach out to him for help again.She just knew if Jaden was truly asking favor from Morix then it wouldn't last forever, because one day he's going to disappoint them and they're going

The following day.Selena adjusted her earrings in front of the mirror, trying not to let the nerves show on her face. Today was the day. Xander Verrick’s seventieth birthday banquet. The one event in high society that could make or break reputations overnight.For Selena and her family, it was a high-stakes performance—especially after what had happened recently.Everyone was dressed to impress. Her father had pulled out his only designer suit. Her mother kept adjusting the sleeves of her rented evening gown. Even her younger brother had shaved for the first time in weeks.But just as they were about to step out the front door, Selena froze.“The gift,” she said, her voice sharp with panic. “Jaden—did you bring the gift?”She turned around so fast her earring almost flew off. Her mother gasped. Her father cursed under his breath.A beat passed.Then Jaden reached calmly into his inner coat pocket and pulled out a small, worn-out box.“Right here,” he said with a quiet smile.Selena b

Rage simmered beneath the surface of Vane’s face. His fists were clenched at his sides, knuckles pale. Nora looked like she was holding her breath, trying not to crack. Selena kept her chin high, though her arms tightened around Mia, pulling the child closer to her chest like a shield from the stares burning holes into them.Jaden stepped forward.He didn’t rush. He bent slowly, picked up the broken pill from the floor, and turned it over in his palm. The room fell quiet again, curious.“This tiny thing?” Jaden said evenly, voice low but sharp enough to cut through the buzz. “One day, when your pride’s been stripped and your bodies start failing you, you’ll remember this moment. And you’ll crawl for what you just tossed aside.”He met Williams' eyes. “That same mouth laughing now will be the one begging next.”Elias scoffed and waved a hand. “Come off it. A shattered pill? You trying to sell snake oil now?” He laughed, loud and mocking. “We’re not idiots. Keep that crap to yourself.”

Their thoughts were interrupted when Mia tugged at Jaden’s sleeve, her voice soft and tired. “Papa, I’m hungry. When can we eat? They had so much food on their tables earlier... It smelled so good.”She was referring to the lavish spread at Xander’s seventieth birthday banquet. The dining hall had overflowed with rich aromas and elegant plating. Wagyu beef seared to perfection, foie gras on golden toast points, towers of lobster, caviar in crystal bowls, and abalone arranged like art. It wasn’t just extravagant—it was intimidating. Each dish looked like it could devour an entire month’s salary. Some, maybe an entire year’s worth. For most families, it wasn’t food. It was a warning.Selena crouched beside her daughter, brushing back a strand of hair from Mia’s cheek. “Those meals are too expensive, sweetheart. Mama will make you something once we get home, alright?”But Jaden didn’t even glance at her. His eyes were still fixed on the entrance of the hall. “Why do you think we can’t af