Chapter 451

I exhaled slowly, keeping my eyes on the skyline glittering beyond the tall glass windows of the penthouse. The private soirée was in full swing two floors down, the kind of elite gathering where Fortune 500 CEOs networked over vintage wine and deals were sealed with smiles and subtext. But I’d excused myself needed air, or maybe just a moment to think. That’s when Zoey found me on the rooftop terrace, her tone gentle but eyes burdened.
“Viola wasn’t on the guest list,” she said, her words measured, careful. “But she came anyway. She insisted.”
I arched an eyebrow, saying nothing. Zoey continued.