The city buzzed with headlines of Seraphina Vale’s downfall. Social media was a battlefield of public opinion, and Hawke Industries’ stock, surprisingly, stabilized after Sebastian’s bold declaration. The empire had taken a hit, but it wasn’t crumbling.
Yet, in a penthouse no longer hers, Seraphina stood in front of a mirror, wiping off the last trace of her lipstick with slow, deliberate precision. Her reflection was calm, but her eyes-those ice-glass eyes—were storming.
They’d cast her out like a parasite.
And now, the gloves were truly off.
A knock echoed behind her.
She turned to see a tall man enter—broad-shouldered, tan, with a scar above his brow. His tailored suit couldn't hide the air of danger that clung to him like a shadow.
“Hello, Marcus,” she purred.
“You said it was u
