Chapter 47

• Ester perched on a plush velvet stool in the corner of The Paragon Club, an exclusive venue tucked away from public view, where shadows danced under the soft glow of the chandeliers. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of privilege and secrecy, the kind that made her heartbeat quicken with a mix of excitement and apprehension. She swirled her glass of champagne, staring into the bubbles, her mind racing with thoughts about Damien and that insufferable Charlotte Sinclair.
• Across from her, Edward DeVille, Damien’s father, leaned back in his chair with an air of authority. His sharp features were softened by the dim lighting, but Ester knew better than to underestimate him. He was a man who wielded power with precision, and she had to tread carefully. Tonight, their goals aligned with a shared understanding that Charlotte was an obstacle neither could afford.
• “Damien hasn’t been himself lately,” Edward began, his voice low and measured. “Ever since that girl came into the picture, I can see it in his eyes. He’s distracted. It’s the kind of distraction that leads to rash decisions.”