A dozen figures in black suits strode inside the hall, each one carrying the weight of law in their posture.At the front, a man in a perfectly pressed suit stepped forward, his voice like iron.“Lucian Grayson,” he called, loud enough to reach every corner of the hall.Lucian froze, hand still raised toward Isabelle. His head turned slowly, his face paling.The man stepped closer, flashing an official badge that glinted under the chandeliers.“You are under investigation,” he announced. “Your companies are suspected of tax evasion, illegal manufacturing of neurological toxins, and trafficking of underage girls.”Adrian's lips curled into a smirk.Perfect timing.“You are to come with us and cooperate with the investigation.”All eyes snapped back to Lucian.The mighty Lucian Grayson, the man who had came in here dripping in arrogance, now stood rooted in place. His body trembled as though the weight of the words had crushed the air from his lungs.He opened his mouth to speak but no

Every conversation stuttered. Crystal glasses hovered midair. The warmth of the chandeliers seemed to turn into a spotlight as Adrian Lancaster stepped inside.Across the room, a single, deliberate sound broke the silence.Elena Aldridge, Sophia’s younger sister, lifted her wine glass, the rim grazing her lips. “Well, well…” she murmured into the glass, but loud enough for Sophia and anyone within three steps to hear. “Speaking of suitors…”Sophia’s shoulders stiffened.Elena’s mouth curved into the faintest smirk. She had not been in Silver City when Rowan’s life was saved, but the Aldridge staff were her eyes and ears everywhere. Every rumor, every whispered detail about the man Sophia brought that night had found its way to her.Sophia, of course, refused to tell her anything.Well, now Elena got to see him for herself.Her gaze swept over Adrian, slowly, measuring… then lingering.Damn… he’s fine.And tall.There was also something different about him...She hid her thoughts beh

He set his glass down.“Malvin, your East Sector Energy isn’t your first poor decision, is it? What about the Vortrex shipping contract? Twenty-two million lost in under two months.”The air shifted.Malvin’s smile strained.“That—was—”Adrian didn’t pause.“And the Barrow Tech merger? Pulled out just before the stock collapsed. You only survived because your family absorbed the losses.”A few smothered laughs escaped down the table.“Shall I continue?” Adrian’s tone was calm, deadly.His eyes met Malvin’s — unhurried, merciless.Malvin’s blood burned hot under his skin.Some of the family members burst into mocking laughter.The table was still bubbling with laughter when a sudden shout cut it in half.“Oh my God!”Elena screamed at the top of her voice.Some of the family members jolted from their seats.One of the cousins flinched so hard his glass tipped, spilling wine across the white tablecloth.“Elena!” he barked, blotting at the mess. “What in the world!”But she wasn’t lookin

Malvin’s polite smile stayed on his lips as he stepped out of the dining hall.But the moment he cleared the doorway, the expression slid off his face like a mask dropped to the floor.His jaw tightened.His hand curled around his phone The rage he has been suppressing totally engulfed him.His veins were bulging from his neck and his face contorted with anger."Bastard!" He cursed under his breath."So he wants to humiliate me at the table?"Fine."I will make sure Adrian never forgets tonight."The corridor outside the dining room was quiet.Although, he could still hear some chatter from the table.Malvin’s polished shoes clicked against the floor as he made his way toward the private bar, set discreetly off the main reception area.Malvin’s polished shoes clicked against the marble, each step sharp, measured.The air here was cooler, quieter.He rounded the corner toward the private bar tucked off the main reception area.The room was dimmer than the grand hall, bathed in the wa

Adrian’s lips curved faintly, “Rowan should take my glass. I don’t mind in the slightest.” he said in a calm tone.Across the table, Malvin’s smile didn’t move, but in his mind he cursed.Sit down and drink it yourself, you smug!A bead of sweat slipped from his temple, disappearing into his collar.Adrian’s eyes flicked toward him.Just for a second.Enough to notice.The faint shift of posture.The tightening grip on his glass.The pulse beating a fraction too fast in his neck.Something was wrong.The bartender’s hand trembled slightly as he set the last glass on the table in front of Rowan and began filling it up with the new wine.Adrian’s hyper sense then caught a scent.His gaze narrowed.He’d smelled this before.He then remembered where he smelled it first.That night on the boat.Sophia had the same scent.Then it clicked almost immediately, it was the smell of the aphrodisiac that she was poisoned with that caused her erratic behavior.And now… that aphrodisiac was in this