The night air outside the gala was sharp, but Kadmiel didn’t feel the cold. He stood by the stone railing of the terrace, his gaze fixed on the flickering city lights below. In his pocket, the velvet box containing the shattered pendant felt like a lead weight.The doors behind him creaked open. He didn’t have to turn to know it was Lila. Her scent—jasmine and something expensive—reached him first.“You left me alone with those vultures,” she said, her voice dropping the CEO sharpness for a tone of soft reproach. She walked up beside him, leaning her elbows on the railing. “Fowler looks like he’s about to have a heart attack, and Bella… well, Bella looks like she just realized she traded a diamond for a piece of glass.”“I’m not a diamond, Lila,” Kadmiel said quietly. “I’m a soldier with a job to do. And that job just got a lot more complicated.”Lila turned to him, her expression serious. “You saw the way he reacted when I revealed myself. He isn’t just arrogant, Kad. He’s terrified.

"On the water?" Kadmiel’s voice was a low growl. He slammed Jack against the container once more for emphasis. "The manifest said the Sea Sovereign wasn't due to depart for another three hours!"Jack choked out a blood-flecked laugh. "You think I use the official schedules? The Sea Sovereign is a decoy, you fool. The real cargo is on a stealth-trimaran, the Phantom-9. It cleared the breakwater ten minutes ago."Kadmiel let go, and Jack slumped to the floor, gasping. Kadmiel didn't waste another second on him. He turned to Lila. "Stay with the tactical team. They’ll be here in sixty seconds. Secure the warehouse and get Bella out of here.""Kad, wait!" Bella stepped forward, her face a mask of terror and confusion. "The Phantom-9... that's my father's old vessel name. Jack bought it back months ago. If that boat is caught with weapons... my family name is finished."Kadmiel paused at the elevator, his silhouette dark against the emergency lights. "Your name is already on the line, Bell