Chapter 80

• The private dining hall of the Carlton Hotel was dimly lit, quiet but for the faint clink of silverware from another room. It was a place chosen for power plays—exclusive, discreet, impenetrable to wandering eyes.
• Alexander arrived first. His tall frame, clad in a dark tailored suit, drew immediate attention from the staff as he stepped inside. His aura carried no warmth; only the sharp, commanding air of someone who did not come to negotiate but to dictate terms.
• He ordered a glass of scotch, untouched as he took a seat at the center table. His fingers drummed once against the polished wood before going still. He didn’t have to wait long.