The ballroom of the Grand Halcyon Hotel glowed with warm light and marble, its wide glass doors open to a line of black cars delivering guests dressed in silk, tailored suits and expensive jewellery. The charity gala had been advertised for weeks.A night dedicated to rebuilding underprivileged schools. Melody stood at the top of the staircase, one hand resting lightly on Caden’s arm as cameras flashed around them. Her gown clung to her figure, the gold fabric catching the light each time she moved. Her hair had been swept back into a style that framed her face and her make up made her look flawless as usual, with tiny elements that made her look like she had just returned from mourning. Caden, beside her, wore a well tailored black suit and hair swept in a befitting style that made him look younger than he was. He lowered his head toward Melody as microphones were pushed closer. “ I am honoured to be here tonight,” Melody said gently, her voice sounding strained as she had intend

Melody sipped her wine in the corner, studying this man who clearly had all the women and men in here on their toes. She watched him standing beside Maxwell Gordon, listening to something one of the older businessmen was saying. Unlike most people in the room, he did not seem eager to dominate the conversation. He spoke only when necessary, yet somehow everyone around him seemed focused on him regardless. It was irritating. And intriguing. Mostly irritating. Because she had spent years attending events like this. She knew how these people worked. Wealthy men loved attention. They practically fought for it. Yet Karl looked as though he could leave at any moment and never think about any of them again. Her eyes narrowed, her curiosity only seemed to get worse. Caden approached her, running his hands through his hair like he always did when he had messed things up. “I messed up.” He muttered. “I figured.” She said, eyes still glued on mystery man as she sipped her wine. God, h

"I was beginning to think you'd avoid me." The sound of his voice made her turn before she could stop herself. Karl stood beside her, one hand tucked into the pocket of his trousers while the other held a champagne flute loosely between his fingers. Up close, he looked even better. Which was honestly annoying. Melody considered herself difficult to impress. She attended enough charity galas, investor dinners and social events to know exactly how wealthy men behaved when they wanted attention. Most of them tried too hard but this man didn't seem to be trying at all. His gaze rested on her calmly, a smile curling on his lips as he watched her as though he already knew she had been watching him all evening. Of course he did. She hasn't been exactly discreet if she was being honest with herself. Melody forced herself not to react. "Avoid you?" she asked lightly. His mouth curved. "It crossed my mind." She tilted her head. "That's quite an assumption." Karl's eyes drifted towa

Mumurings took over the hall and the orchestra continued playing. Why did the light go off? Is there some kind of special announcement to be made? Then the first gunshot cracked through the room. The sound was so sudden that it froze the entire ballroom. A second shot followed immediately after, echoing against the high ceilings. People screamed and scrambled in all directions. Chairs scraped across the floor and glass shattered somewhere near the bar. “What is going on?!” “Where is security?!” “HELP!!” “OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!” The ballroom erupted in chaos as everyone ran for shelter. Personal security detail cover their clients, guns drawn and ready to retaliate. Karl’s hand tightened instantly around Melody’s wrist and he pulled her down beside him as another shot rang out from the far side of the ballroom. “Stay down,” he said firmly. Melody gasped as he guided her behind one of the marble columns near the dance floor. Guests rushed past them in every direction, some dropp

The long driveway leading to the Gordon mansion was quiet when Karl’s car finally rolled through the wrought-iron gates. The tall hedges lining the road hid the property from the outside world, but tonight the place felt less like a private residence and more like a fortress. Maxwell's security had tripled the moment the old man's security made sure he got out of that hall in one piece. Karl's mind raced with a million questions. Those rifles were definitely the work of someone from the underworld but who? He knew the moment his eyes caught the logo on one of the rifles in the light. It's been six years and all he's got is two months of study since his body had decided to go on a month's worth of break after his accident. Hell, it could have been anybody… The city lights faded behind them as the vehicle moved deeper into the estate grounds. His fingers rested loosely against his temple while the events of the evening continued to replay in his mind. The car slowed as the mans