The ballroom of the Harrington Grand glittered under chandeliers, light bouncing off the polished floor. The air was filled with perfume, champagne, and the polite chatter of people who measured each other’s worth in numbers and last names. Daniel Reed walked half a step behind his wife, Sophia Carrington, as they made their way to the family table. His suit was clean but plain, the fabric is softened from years of wear. He’d pressed it himself that afternoon, but under the glare of the ballroom lights it still looked out of place beside silk gowns and custom tailoring. As soon as they reached the table. Sophia sat into her seat gracefully; Daniel followed, feeling the familiar drop in temperature the moment he sat down. Margaret Carrington, Sophia’s mother, didn’t bother hiding her glance. “Daniel,” she said, with the kind of politeness people used on strangers they wouldn’t see again, “you really didn’t have to come. These business events… they’re hardly your scene.” The com

“If I were you, I’d grab this offer while I’m still feeling generous. Because trust me, Daniel, I can make you disappear from this family without spending a single cent.” Daniel chuckled as soon as Margret said that, the nerve of her to think she could treat him like trash and buy him. Who the fuck did she think she was? He made a small and low laughter, the kind that made Margret flinch for a second before she quickly concealed it with her usual mask of superiority. Daniel took a step closer to Margret and looked deep into her eyes. “Let me make this clear, Margret. You don’t get to walk in here and act like you hold the leash. As long as Sophie herself does not divorce me, I am her husband. Not you. Not your son can do that." Margret’s nostrils flared, her chin lifted defiantly even as his words landed like blows. “You’re nothing but a stain on this family’s name, and as long as I am alive, I will make sure to wipe that stain off. Daniel’s lips curved into a cold, humorles

Daniel just walked away from magret who was in shambles, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he walked away, he was definitely not going to have any business to do with the Carringtons neither would he reveal who his identity was to them, at least, not yet. He was going to conceal it as much as he wished to play games with them. The first game was with Margret and the second game was an offer with his Beautiful Wife Sophie, one thing he knew of about The Carringtons was that they are users. Daniel could predict that in one way or the other, The Carringtons was going to use his beautiful wife Sophie as leverage to gain the Alisters help. ***** Meanwhile, Margaret sat on her couch in the living room, her fists clenched tightly with her nails digging into her palms. The anger that burned inside her felt like fire in her chest. She had just endured the greatest humiliation of her life—her plans with the Allisters had been completely destroyed, and she had been forc