The Thorne mansion had always been vast, but tonight, it felt like a tomb.

Silas Thorne sat in the cavernous expanse of his dark, mahogany-paneled study, staring blankly at the wall-mounted television screen. The volume was muted, but the scrolling ticker at the bottom of the news broadcast scream

The conference room in the law offices of Marcus Sterling was a masterclass in psychological intimidation.

Perched on the forty-second floor of a downtown Denver high-rise, the room was entirely encased in floor-to-ceiling glass, offering a dizzying, unobstructed view of the snow-capped Rocky Moun

Six months later.

The Colorado winter had finally surrendered, giving way to a brilliant, vibrant spring. The snow that had once choked the streets of downtown Denver was entirely gone, replaced by blooming cherry blossoms and the warm, golden glow of the late afternoon sun.

The newly establishe