The Laurent gala was in full swing, a whirlwind of crystal chandeliers, flowing champagne, and whispers that carried like silk across the marble floors. Every guest in attendance was accustomed to wealth, power, and influence—but nothing could prepare them for Adrian Laurent and Elena standing side by side. Together, they radiated control, elegance, and a claim that no one dared challenge.
Elena adjusted the hem of her gown for the hundredth time. The deep emerald silk hugged her curves, catching the light just right, and her earrings sparkled like tiny constellations. She should have felt poised, untouchable. Yet she couldn’t shake the tension curling in her stomach. She knew why tonight was perilous.
Clara Whitmore had arrived. Her presence was deliberate. Calculated. Dangerous. The sh
