The door clicked shut behind Samantha and Rebecca, leaving a quiet tension hanging in the lobby.
I exhaled slowly, my chest rising and falling with a mix of relief and calmness.
Ethan stepped closer, his eyes scanning me carefully. “You handled that well,” he said quietly. “Far better than most people would.”
I forced a small smile, though my hands trembled slightly. “It’s… just the beginning, isn’t it?”
Ethan nodded. “It’s only the beginning. They tested you tonight. And now, they know not to underestimate Leah Hayes.”
I glanced down at the black card Samantha had left behind. My fingers closed around it tightly. One hundred million dollars. A fortune.
And yet, it was a warning more than an offer.
Lucas stepped into the lobby, his coat worn over one arm. He had that calm, collected
