The ballroom of the Grand Meridian Hotel shimmered under crystal chandeliers, marble floors, silver trays floating by with champagne and false charm—old money pretending it wasn’t rotting underneath. A room full of men who thought this money made them wolves. Investors, CEOs, politicians disguised as philanthropists — they swarmed, hungry for a piece of my empire, my time, my secrets. I was wearing my emerald gown clinging to every curve like a lover's grasp—low-cut bodice accentuating the full swell of my breasts, the slit up my thigh flashing toned leg with each step. I lifted my chin, shoulders set, mask polished, and moved through the room like the queen they wanted to buy shares of.
Power clung to me tonight. And he felt it. Ahmir stood near the corner bar, pretending to study an inv
