CHAPTER THIRTY-TWOThe next morning, Declan received an invitation.A physical one.Hand-delivered to the palace gates in a cream-colored envelope with gold trim.Ms. Sonia brought it to him during breakfast.“This arrived an hour ago,” she said, placing it on the table.Declan picked it up slowly, already knowing what it was.He opened it.Elegant script filled the card.**“You are cordially invited to the engagement celebration of Stefan Sinclair and Tahlia Crane. Saturday evening. Black tie. RSVP required.”**At the bottom, a handwritten note.**“We hope you can make it. It would mean so much. – Tahlia”**Declan stared at the words for a long moment.Then he laughed.Not loudly. Just a quiet, bitter laugh.Ms. Sonia watched him carefully.“Are you going?”“Of course,” Declan said, setting the card down.She blinked.“You are serious?”“Completely.”“Declan, this is a trap. They want you there so they can humiliate you publicly. Again.”He smiled faintly.“I know.”“Then why go?”He

**CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR**The music shifted to something slower, more elegant.Couples began moving toward the center of the room for the first dance.Stefan extended his hand to Tahlia, and she took it gracefully.They walked to the middle of the floor as everyone stepped back to watch.The lights dimmed slightly.A spotlight followed them.Stefan pulled Tahlia close, and they began to dance.Perfect. Practiced. Rehearsed.The crowd murmured in admiration.“They look so beautiful together.”“Such a perfect match.”“This is like a fairytale.”Declan watched from the shadows, his expression unreadable.Tahlia’s head rested against Stefan’s shoulder, her smile soft and content.Stefan whispered something in her ear, and she laughed quietly.The cameras flashed.Declan felt nothing.No pain. No jealousy. No longing.Just cold, bitter clarity.This woman had betrayed him. Destroyed him. Sold him out for money and status.And now she danced in the arms of his enemy, pretending to be in love.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVEThe car moved smoothly through the quiet streets.City lights passed by the window like tired stars.Declan said nothing.Ms. Sonia watched him from the corner of her eye.“You did well,” she said softly.He did not respond.“You kept your emotions in check,” she continued. “That took discipline.”Declan finally spoke. “Emotion is a luxury I can’t afford.”She nodded. “Good. Because Stefan is emotional right now. Very emotional.”Declan’s lips curved slightly. Not a smile. Something colder.“That’s the point.”Silence fell again.The driver turned onto a darker road, leading toward Declan’s private residence.Ms. Sonia broke the quiet. “Our people inside the party say the mood shifted after you left.”“Of course it did.”“Stefan embarrassed himself.”Declan leaned his head back. “No. I let him embarrass himself.”She smiled faintly. “The Governor was not pleased.”“That matters more.”Ms. Sonia folded her hands. “We also picked up chatter. Investors. Old families.

CHAPTER THIRTY EightDeclan was still on his knees when the royal grandmaster stepped closer. The hall smelled like polished wood and power, and Declan could feel every eye on him. Some people looked shocked. Some looked pleased. Most looked like they were watching a stranger fall.The royal grandmaster did not raise his voice, but it carried. “Give me the ring, the black card, and your phone. Now.”Declan’s throat tightened. He looked up slowly, as if he was trying to understand if this was real or just a nightmare. Jacob stood beside the royal grandmaster with a calm face, like this was normal, like Declan was just a problem being handled.Declan’s fingers trembled as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out his phone first. The screen was already cracked from earlier. He placed it on the floor in front of them like a sacrifice. Then he brought out the black card and held it out with a stiff hand.The card was taken immediately by one of the guards, as if they were afraid Declan mi

CHAPTER FORTYDeclan waited behind the anatomy lab after the last students left. The campus lights were bright and cold, throwing shadows across the walkway. The note in his pocket felt heavy. Tonight. Behind the anatomy lab. Come alone. He should not have come, but he was here anyway, standing in the dark, listening.He touched the emerald ring on his finger and tried to steady his breathing. His ribs ached, his jaw hurt, and his pride felt bruised deeper than his skin.Footsteps came from the far end of the corridor. More than one set. Three figures walked into the light, and the first one smiled.It was Stefan.Stefan looked clean and confident, dressed like he owned the night. Two men followed behind him, thick and silent. Stefan stopped a few feet away and laughed.“Oh, Declan,” Stefan said. “You came.”“Why are you here,” Declan asked.Stefan spread his hands. “Because you thought we would rot in prison,” Stefan said. “You thought you could ruin me with one party stunt and some