Julian Thorne hated waiting. He hated traffic, he hated small talk, and most of all, he hated it when his perfectly arranged chess pieces stepped out of their designated squares.

He strode through the subterranean executive parking garage of Thorne Luxuries, his jaw clenched so tightly his teeth a

*Three Months Later — Paris, France*

The morning sun poured through the towering, arched windows of the Laurent Group's executive penthouse, bathing the room in a warm, golden light. Outside, the sprawling skyline of Paris stretched toward the horizon, a tapestry of slate roofs and ancient stone.

The Laurent Group’s primary boardroom was a masterpiece of intimidation. Perched on the top floor of their Paris headquarters, it featured floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a commanding, unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower and the sprawling city below. The table was carved from a single, massi