Chapter 12

The conference room at the federal courthouse smelled of lemon polish and impending ruin.

Elena sat at the long mahogany table, her posture impeccably straight, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She wore a tailored crimson suit that screamed power, her hair pulled back into a severe,

Chapter 13

The atelier hummed with a frantic, electric energy.

Bolts of raw silk, organza, and velvet were strewn across the massive cutting tables like casualties of a beautiful war. The air smelled of hot steam from the irons, fresh coffee, and the sharp, metallic tang of shears slicing through

Chapter 14

The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of crushed pine needles and expensive perfume.

Backstage—a massive, heated luxury tent erected just outside the glass conservatory—was a symphony of beautiful, organized chaos. Hairdryers roared, makeup brushes flew across cheekbones, a