The stainless steel prep table was freezing under Clara’s palms, but her blood was boiling.

It was six in the morning, hours before the rest of the kitchen staff would arrive to begin the day’s grueling prep work. Clara had unlocked the back doors of the restaurant in

The private dining room on the second floor of *L’Aura* was designed for intimate, high-stakes celebrations. With its sweeping views of the city skyline, soundproof mahogany doors, and a custom-built twenty-seat marble table, it was the crown jewel of Clara’s restaurant

"The vote is canceled," Victor said smoothly, finally turning his predatory gaze onto Simon. "Because as of ten minutes ago, you no longer hold a single share of equity in this company."

The boardroom descended into a suffocating, absolute silence. The five members of the res