GALE'S MANSIONGale sat on the long couch in their lounge, flipping absently through a tablet screen. Beside him, Laura scrolled through her phone, occasionally looking up to share her thoughts with enthusiasm.“I think we should go with the gold-accented centerpieces for the reception tables,” she said, barely noticing he hadn’t responded to the last five things she mentioned. “It adds that royal touch. What do you think?”Silence.Laura looked up. “Gale.”He didn’t answer. His eyes were still on the tablet, but his fingers had stopped scrolling.“Gale!” she snapped.He flinched slightly and turned to her. “What?”She scoffed and dropped her phone on the coffee table. “Seriously? You’ve barely said two words. Are you even listening?”Gale forced a smile. "Of course, I'm listening. Go on."Laura sighed and continued. “…and by the way, I told the stylist that the dress for the after-party has to have Swarovski stones. Not those cheap crystals they tried to pass off earlier. Can you ima

GALE'S MANSION The front door clicked as Gale stepped in with Damian following behind him. Laura, relaxing lazily on the couch with the tv remote control in her hand and a cup of tea on the side table, looked up as the two men entered.She straightened her posture slightly, her eyes first landing on Gale, then lingering...just briefly on Damian."You're back," she said with a smile that was warm, but practiced.Gale leaned over and gave her a light kiss on the lip. "We had some catching up to do."Damian’s eyes didn’t leave Laura as she stood up and smoothed her dress. “Laura,” he greeted, voice smooth and low, “always a pleasure.”Laura returned the smile politely. “Damian. It’s been a while.”Her tone was cordial, but she avoided eye contact. She knew Damian was watching her, he always watched her. Gale either didn’t notice or didn’t care. As usual.Laura called on the maid. "Angela, please see if Mr Damian needs anything."“Can I get you anything, sir?” Angela asked Damian, standi

SCOTT'S GUEST HOUSE Cara stood in front of Scott’s desk, arms crossed loosely as he sat in his chair, going through the checklist one last time. His eyes scanned the details on the tablet in front of him, but it was Cara’s sharp, focused presence that anchored the moment.“So everything’s still on track?” Scott asked without looking up.“Yes,” Cara replied confidently. “Guest list remains intact—no last-minute changes. I reconfirmed this morning. Our names are on there, under the aliases we used. No security alerts or complications.”Scott leaned back in his chair, finally meeting her gaze. “Good. I just don’t want any surprises tomorrow.”Cara hesitated for a moment, then spoke up. “Are you sure we shouldn’t put some soldiers on standby? Just in case Gale or Laura decides to pull something unexpected?”Scott shook his head. “No need. Gale might be a lot of things, but he’s not stupid. Especially not on the day he’s trying to impress half the country. Presidents, senators, foreign i

Lisa stood abruptly, clutching her purse tightly as she made her way out of the hall, her posture stiff, her steps fast. It was almost like she was trying to escape. She didn't look back. Her presence left a faint trail of unease that Scott couldn’t ignore. From the corner of his eye, he spotted the man..Benjamin, if he heard correctly, and another figure who looked too rigid and alert to be anything other than a bodyguard or an assistant. They stood up as well, casually, but with unmistakable intent. They weren’t going out for air. They were following her.Scott shifted in his seat, trying to reason with himself. "Not your problem, Grayson. You don’t know this woman. You’ve got bigger things to handle tonight." But his gut said otherwise.He let out a breath and stood. "Damn it."Just then, Cara stepped into his path, her voice alert.“Something wrong, sir?” she asked, eyes sharp, reading him.Scott shook his head, glancing toward the door. “I’m not sure. I just need to check on so

Laura gripped the edge of the tablecloth, her knuckles white, and Gale sat rigid beside her, unable to mask the flicker of dread that passed over his face.Then, Scott spoke into his mic again, his voice neutral.“Ladies and gentlemen, I did say I came with proof. And while I could show you countless documents this evening, I believe there’s something more impactful than paper...someone’s own words.”The audience leaned in.Scott pressed a small button in his hand, and moments later, a grainy audio file came to life across the speakers. A voice, clearly Gale’s...rang through the room.At first, it was a calm conversation—Gale speaking to someone, chuckling lightly.“…Just make sure the original copy disappears. Nobody double-checks those things. Especially not when the name on the document already favors me.”Gasps erupted in the room. Laura froze, her face completely drained of color.The recording continued.“…Grayson doesn’t know a thing. And by the time he figures it out...if he e