The following day, Elias Vance stood in the living room of the villa that had once housed the entire Vance family. He had purchased this property before ever setting foot in Cresthaven, a home meant to anchor the people he cared about most. After Vivian Sterling seized control of the family's assets, she had listed this villa on the market without a second thought and sold it off like just another line item on a balance sheet. Elias later bought it back from the second owner at a premium, reclaiming what should never have left their hands in the first place.
"Marshal, you spent the entire night watching over Ms. Croft at the hospital. You should rest," Gideon said in a low voice, watching Elias press a steaming towel against his face.
After the banquet the previous evening, Elias had gon
