Kurtis’s POV
The room was quiet, save for the ticking of the clock on the far wall. I stood at the head of the long, polished table, my hands resting on the cool surface as I waited. Every detail of this meeting had been meticulously planned, every move calculated. This wasn’t just a negotiation; it was the final nail in Alice’s coffin.
The door opened, and Alice Maddox swept in, her heels clicking against the floor. She was dressed to intimidate, her sharp black suit tailored to perfection, her crimson lips curved in a smirk that didn’t reach her eyes. But I could see the cracks beneath her polished facade—the slight tremor in her hands, the tightness around her mouth.
“Kurtis,” she said smoothly, taking a seat across from me. “I hope you’re not wasting my time.”
I leaned back in my c
