The moment they stepped outside, Celia slipped her hand into Nick's and wrapped both arms around his elbow, pressing close against his side. They looked for all the world like a couple drunk on new love.Diverton Grand Galleria was the largest shopping center in Diverton, a towering glass-and-marble monument to excess. It was also the favorite haunt of the city's high society heirs, where old money and new fortunes mingled beneath crystal chandeliers.Nick stood before the entrance, tilting his head back to take in the gleaming signage. Five years had passed, yet the building looked almost exactly as he remembered, only now there were more boutiques lining the atrium, more luxury logos glowing behind polished windows.Celia watched him go still. She knew that look. He was remembering."Come on, let's go in." She smiled up at him and tugged him forward before the memories could settle.The moment they crossed the threshold, soft music drifted down from hidden

Howard Hawthorne's entire body shook as he slammed his forehead against the ground at Nick's feet. Once, twice, three times, each impact leaving a fresh smear of crimson on the stone. Blood seeped from the split skin above his brow, but he didn't stop.Nick watched him with eyes that held all the warmth of a winter grave."You're Liam's father," he said quietly. "I understand a parent's desperation to see his child."Howard froze mid-bow, hope surfacing through his terror."Since that's the case," Nick continued, his voice dropping to something almost gentle, "I really should let you two reunite."The words hung in the air for half a breath. Then Howard's body went rigid. Beside him, Reginald Prescott stood rooted to the spot, struggling to parse the implication.Before either man could move, something warm splashed across Reginald's face.Howard's body pitched forward and hit the ground with a heavy, final thud.Reginald's scream tore from hi

Adriana Vance lifted her gaze, eyes burning with quiet resolve as she held Nick Crane's stare."My lord, from this moment forward, you are our master." Her voice carried no hesitation, no room for second-guessing. "Marcus Redding entrusted the Sovereign Black Card to you. He would have wanted this."Nick said nothing for a long moment. The card had been pressed into his hand just before he walked out of King's Gate Penitentiary, Redding wearing that insufferable grin of his. Something about meeting beautiful women on the outside. Nick's jaw tightened. Had the old bastard meant her all along?He exhaled through his nose and made his decision. "Then you'll follow me. All of you. We're heading back to the manor."Adriana's team numbered ten in total, herself included. The Crane Manor had more than enough empty rooms to house them. On the drive back, she laid out the full picture: how they'd tracked the Sovereign Black Card's activation, how it had drawn them to Dive

The banquet hall held about a dozen people scattered around a long table when Nick walked in with Lydia at his side. The overhead chandelier cast a warm amber glow across white tablecloths and half-filled wine glasses, but the warmth stopped at the light. He swept his gaze across their faces and felt nothing. Not warmth, not nostalgia, not even curiosity. These were strangers wearing familiar skins. If it weren't for Lydia wanting to come, he wouldn't have set foot in this place.Back when the Crane family still stood at the top of Diverton, every one of these people had clung to him like lapdogs. The moment the family fell, every last one of them had lined up to spit on him before the prison gates closed. He remembered each face. Memory was a quiet weapon, and he kept it sharpened.Sure enough, the whispers started before he'd even found a seat."Why did Lord Quinn's brother even invite Nick? Is this supposed to be some kind of public humiliation?""Who knows. I

"Something's happened! Dominic's been attacked!"The servant burst into the main hall of the Quinn estate with panic smeared across his face, shouting between heaving breaths. Within moments, the entire household came flooding out of every corridor and side room, converging on the hall just in time to see four men carrying a limp figure through the front entrance."What happened?" someone demanded."Who did this to my son?"Lady Quinn threw herself forward, her face twisted with anguish the instant she laid eyes on Dominic. She clutched at him, and her fingers found the ruined stump where his arm had been. Dominic let out a raw, animal scream that echoed off the vaulted ceiling.The sound hit Lady Quinn like a physical blow. She staggered back, nearly collapsing to the floor. "Who did this?" Her voice shook, but fury was already overtaking the grief. "Tell me who did this!"The ones who had carried Dominic in were classmates from the gathering. They stu