Chapter 4

Le Bernardin was a sanctuary of hushed voices, clinking crystal, and Michelin-starred perfection. In the center of the dining room, insulated by the quiet hum of power brokers and socialites, Serena Vance and Kaelen Cross sat at a prime corner table.

"The supply chain out of Milan is en

Chapter 5

Julian Thorne stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse office, staring blindly at the Manhattan skyline. The sky was overcast, a dull, oppressive gray that perfectly matched his mood. Behind him, the massive mahogany conference table was littered with financial reports, cris

Chapter 6

The afternoon sun cast long, golden shadows across the expansive floor of the Cross Industries executive boardroom. The room was a testament to Kaelen Cross’s aesthetic: sharp angles, dark slate, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a commanding view of the Manhattan skyline.

Seren