Daniel Royce smashed the glass.
The crystal tumbler shattered against the wall of his office, liquor dripping down like blood. His phone lay face-down on the desk, still buzzing with unread messages.
ENGAGEMENT CALLED OFF AT ROYCE BANQUET
MBEKI HEIRESS PUBLICLY HUMILIATES FIANCÉ
"Damn her," he snarled.
Ariella Mbeki had embarrassed him in front of investors, partners—everyone. And worse, she'd done it calmly. Not hysterical. Not emotional.
Calculated.
That scared him.
Daniel loosened his tie, pacing. "She thinks she can walk away?" he muttered. "After everything I've done for her?"
A knock sounded.
"Come in," he snapped.
His assistant, Clara, stepped in hesitantly. "Mr. Royce… there's been a development."
Daniel turned sharply. "What now?"
"She left the banquet with Lucien Blackwood."
The room went still.
Daniel's smile faded.
"…What?"
"They were seen together in the underground parking lot," Clara continued. "Security footage shows them entering the same elevator."
Daniel felt something cold slide down his spine.
Lucien Blackwood didn't interfere in other people's affairs.
Unless he wanted something.
Daniel grabbed his phone and dialed immediately.
It rang once.
Twice.
Then—
"Ari," he said smoothly when she answered. "We need to talk."
Ariella stood in front of her apartment window, the city lights glowing below. Her phone rested loosely in her hand, Lucien's business card still warm in her pocket.
"We have nothing to talk about," she replied.
Daniel chuckled softly. "Don't be emotional. Tonight was… dramatic, but fixable."
Fixable.
Just like her prison sentence had been acceptable in her past life.
"Fixable for who?" she asked.
"For us," Daniel said. "For your family. For your reputation."
Her fingers tightened.
"Careful," she said lightly. "You're starting to sound like a threat."
A pause.
Then his tone hardened. "You embarrassed me. You think that doesn't have consequences?"
Ariella smiled.
"I'm counting on them."
Daniel's jaw clenched. "Lucien Blackwood is not someone you can rely on. He uses people."
"So do you," she replied.
Silence.
Then a low laugh. "You really think you're clever now, don't you?"
"No," Ariella said calmly. "I think you're predictable."
Daniel's voice dropped. "If you don't come back by morning, Ariella, I'll make sure no one in this city touches Mbeki Holdings again."
There it was.
The same threat.
The same move.
In her past life, this was where she'd begged.
This time—
"Go ahead," she said.
Daniel stiffened. "What?"
"Block us. Spread rumors. Play dirty," Ariella continued. "Just remember—I'm no longer alone."
His eyes darkened. "You think Lucien will protect you?"
"I know you're afraid of him," she said softly.
The line went dead.
Daniel stared at his phone, chest heaving.
"Find out everything about Lucien's involvement," he barked at Clara. "And ruin Ariella Mbeki."
"Yes, sir."
Ariella exhaled slowly and ended the call.
Her phone buzzed almost immediately.
Unknown Number
You handled that well.
Her pulse jumped.
She typed back.
You were listening?
Three dots appeared.
I listen to things that interest me.
She swallowed.
And what happens now?
A pause.
Then—
Now,
we see how much pressure you can endure.
A chill slid down her spine.
Not fear.
Excitement.
Ariella looked out at the city and whispered, "Come on, Daniel."
This time—
"I'm ready."