Clara stood at the edge of the kitchen pass, her hands folded tightly over the apron of her chef’s coat. Through the swinging double doors, the dining room of Julian’s soon-to-open flagship restaurant was bathed in the harsh, unforgiving light of midday. At the center table sat three major investors

The interior of Damian’s town car was a sanctuary of quiet luxury, insulated from the blaring horns and chaotic traffic of the city. Clara sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window as the blurred lights of the downtown skyline passed by.

The adrenaline that had carried her through the conf

"Let them slaughter the ghost," Damian said coldly, his eyes locking onto hers with terrifying intensity. "Because when the real Clara Vance rises from the ashes at Julian’s grand opening, the shockwave will tear his empire apart."

Clara stared at the phone resting on the marble counter. The screen