His mistress mocked my frayed wedding dress while wearing diamonds my husband secretly bought her, but when they drove away, I opened a drawer and made one phone call...

His eyes skimmed the fine print. His founder shares. His personal estate. His domestic accounts. Everything was tethered to this single execution.

*It doesn't matter,* he told himself frantically. *The Vance Syndicate is funding sixty million. With that money, we clear the short-term debts, bury the mezzanine losses from the boutique purchases, and go public in six months.*

With a swift, aggressive stroke, Aiden Pierce signed his name.

*Aiden J. Pierce, CEO & Founder.*

The legal director did not smile. He immediately picked up the binder, closed it with a sharp snap, and handed it to Julian Vance, who was stepping down from the stage.

“Congratulations, Mr. Pierce,” Julian said, his eyes glittering with cold amusement as he accepted the document. “You have just concluded the most significant transaction of your life.”

“Thank you, Julian,” Aiden breathed, extending his hand. “I assure you, Apex will exceed every expectation of the Vance family.”

Julian did not take the extended hand. He simply looked at Aiden’s open palm, then looked up into his eyes.

“Oh, Mr. Pierce,” Julian said softly. “You have no idea what the Vance family expects of you.”

Before Aiden could process the insult of the refused handshake, the heavy mahogany double doors at the rear of the Starlight Pavilion swung open for the second time.

A silence fell over the room—not the polite hush that had greeted Julian Vance, but a sudden, breathless vacuum that pulled the air straight out of the guests' lungs.

The four private security guards at the perimeter stepped back, bowing their heads in unison.

Aiden turned.