Chapter 22: A Festival of Unspoken Feelings
Damien leans against the kitchen counter, his fingers wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee, though he’s barely taken a sip. His mind is elsewhere—fixed on the name that had slipped past Elara’s lips last night. Hale. He recognized it instantly. The Hales scandal had been a wildfire in the business world—a tale of power, corruption, and billions funneled into private accounts while public projects rotted unfinished. The government cracked down hard, but by the time the dust settled, the Hales name was in ruins, their assets seized, their whereabouts unknown. And now, here Elara was, standing in front of him in an oversized sweater and leggings, pouring herself tea as if she wasn’t the missing piece in one of the biggest financial scandals in recent history. She must feel his stare be
- Writer
