Chapter 14: The Near-Miss

The winter rain in Saint-Germain-des-Prés had turned to a biting, freezing sleet that rattled against the high iron skylights of Evelyn’s foundry studio.

Inside, the only light came from the blue hiss of a portable gas heater and the single, stark halogen lamp positioned

Chapter 15: The Crack in the Empire

The boardroom of Vanguard Holdings, located on the eightieth floor of a glass skyscraper in downtown Manhattan, was a battlefield disguised as a corporate sanctuary.

Daniel Sterling sat at the head of the long, polished mahogany table, his hands clasped loosely

Chapter 16: The Parisian Gala

The Petit Palais in Paris was a masterpiece of Belle Époque architecture, its grand golden gates and stone colonnades glowing under the soft, white winter lights.

Tonight, it was the venue for the annual Gala des Étoiles, the most exclusive charity event of the Europe