Chapter 86

• The lavish apartment was dimly lit, the soft hum of classical music playing from unseen speakers. Claire sat in a sleek leather armchair, a glass of red wine in her hand, her manicured nails tapping rhythmically against the glass. She gazed out of the floor-to-ceiling window, the city lights glittering below her like scattered diamonds. Her expression was calm, almost serene, but her eyes held a sharpness that betrayed her inner turmoil.
• Across from her, a shadowy figure leaned against the edge of a polished marble countertop, their face obscured by the dim light. The tension in the room was palpable, like a coiled spring ready to snap.
• “You’re taking a risk, Claire,” the figure said, their voice low and measured. “You’ve already stirred the pot more than enough. If you push too far, Rafael won’t hesitate to strike back.”