Alexander slipped the ancient ring onto his finger. The dark stone caught the dim morning light, and the carved runes seemed to move when he stared at them.Shaking off the unease, Alexander grabbed his jacket and headed out. The bank wasn’t far—a tall building of glass and steel, its name, Dominion Trust, written in gold above the entrance. A place for the elite, not for a janitor like him. But he wasn’t here to belong. He was here to prove Vanessa wrong.Alexander’s old boots scraped the pavement, and his flannel shirt drew stares from people who seemed to notice his poverty. He ignored them, his mind stuck on Lila’s face—her hesitation, the brief look before she left with Victor. Three years of love, reduced to a manila envelope. His chest hurt, but he pushed the feeling aside. There was no time for that now.Alexander stopped at the entrance as the rotating doors let out men in suits and women in heels, all walking with the confidence of the rich. Just get it over with, he

Margaret and Clara stood frozen in the opulent lobby, their faces pale with shock and disbelief. The weight of Sophia Sterling's words hung in the air like a death sentence—their membership revoked, their status stripped away in front of the city's elite."This... this can't be happening," Clara whispered, her voice trembling as she clutched her mother's arm. "Mother, do something!"Margaret's jaw worked silently, her eyes darting between Sophia's impassive face and the curious stares of the other clients. She knew Sophia Sterling's reputation—the woman was untouchable, with connections that reached the highest levels of government and business. To challenge her here would be social suicide."We'll see about this," Margaret finally managed, her voice strained but attempting to maintain some dignity. "This isn't over."Sophia's smile was arctic. "Oh, but it is. Security will escort you out."As if summoned by her words, two new security guards appeared—replacements for the ones she'd

The Grand Meridian's ballroom sparkled under the glow of massive crystal chandeliers, their light reflecting off polished marble floors and the jewels adorning the city's elite. Guests moved through the space like peacocks displaying their finest plumage—designer gowns rustling against tailored tuxedos, the gentle clink of champagne glasses punctuating conversations about mergers, acquisitions, and social climbing.Lila stood near a towering arrangement of white roses, her emerald gown suddenly feeling less spectacular as she watched Sophia Sterling's effortless command of the room. The banking executive moved with the confidence of someone who belonged among the powerful, her midnight blue dress and platinum hair catching admiring glances from every direction.A knot of discomfort twisted in Lila's stomach—a sensation she couldn't quite name but refused to acknowledge as jealousy. "I just can't believe this," she murmured to herself, her manicured fingers tightening around her clu

The ballroom fell into stunned silence after Alexander's ten million dollar bid, the magnitude of the sum hanging in the air like a physical presence. Conversations that had been flowing moments before died completely, replaced by the sound of rustling fabric as hundreds of guests turned in their seats to stare at the man who had just shocked them all into speechlessness.Victor's face cycled through a spectrum of emotions—disbelief, fury, and then something that looked suspiciously like calculating triumph. His initial shock gave way to a slow, predatory smile as understanding dawned."Ten million," he repeated slowly, his voice carrying clearly through the hushed ballroom. "How... impressive." He paused dramatically, letting his words sink in."Of course, everyone here knows Edmund's strict auction policies. The bidder and the payer must be the same person. No proxies, no representatives, no one else can pay on your behalf."Several guests nodded knowingly. Edmund Blackwood's au