The silence in the car was a stark contrast to the opulent chaos they had just left behind at the Aurelian. Elara watched the city lights blur past, her mind replaying the humiliating scene with Eleanor Coote. The woman’s venomous words—shameless little slut—still echoed, a toxic whisper in her mind. She felt raw, exposed. The penthouse, which had felt like a sanctuary moments before, now seemed tainted by the encounter.“Should I…” Elara began, her voice small in the luxurious quiet of the sedan. “Should I just go back home today?” The question was absurd. She had no home. The penthouse was a temporary illusion, and the word ‘home’ referred to a life that had been systematically dismantled.Before Leo could answer, his phone buzzed, cutting through the heavy atmosphere. He held up a single finger, his expression shifting into one of focused intensity. “Olivia,” he answered. He listened for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Understood. I’ll be there.” He ended the call and,