Andre adjusted the cuff of his tailored suit, exhaling slowly as he stared at his own reflection in the hotel room mirror. He had done things like this before, sneaking into ces where he wasn''t invited, but something about tonight felt different.


    Maybe it was the grandeur of the event or the fact that he was walking straight into ire Peterson''s domain. Maybe it was the unshakable feeling that he was ying a role in a game far more dangerous than he understood.


    Eligos had warned him to remain calm, to not let any nerves show. As long as he followed instructions, Eligos assured him there would be no issues. Andre had no choice but to trust him. He wasn''t naive; he knew Eligos was pulling strings behind the scenes, orchestrating something beyond his grasp.


    But why? Why go to such lengths to take revenge on ire? And more importantly, what exactly did ire do to warrant this level of animosity? It felt personal, an unresolved vendetta simmering beneath the surface. Andre had his questions, but tonight wasn''t the time to ask them.


    His phone vibrated. Checking the screen, he saw a message from Eligos.


    There''s a car waiting for you outside. Get in. No questions.


    Andre pocketed his phone without replying and grabbed his coat. When he reached the entrance of the hotel, his steps faltered. Parked just outside was a sleek, ck Cadic, its polished surface gleaming under the dim streetlights. Andre couldn''t deny he was impressed. Whatever Eligos was nning, he had resources and a lot of them. The realization made Andre slightly uneasy.


    Sliding into the backseat, Andre nced at the driver, but the man offered no greeting, simply nodding before pulling into traffic. Andre leaned back, watching the city lights blur past. He needed to focus. Whatever Eligos''s reasons were, they didn''t matter right now. His task was simple get in, blend with the crowd, and wait for further instructions.


    Meanwhile, inside the hotel, ire Peterson descended the elevator, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. Earlier she did arrive early despite Alex being sarcastic and telling her that she waste but ire excused herself again.


    And the moment she stepped into the grand lobby where the event was being held, heads turned. Men stole appreciative nces, some subtle, others more obvious. ire was used to it. Her presence demanded attention, but she had long since learned to ignore it.


    Her dress, a deep ck gown, clung to her figure in all the right ces, its fabric flowing elegantly with each step. Her brte hair was side-swept, revealing the graceful curve of her neck and the sharp line of her jaw. She walked with purpose, nodding politely at those she passed, maintaining an air of quiet confidence.


    Across the room, Alexander Harris had been engaged in conversation, but the moment ire stepped out of the elevator, his focus shifted entirely. He just noticed how stunning ire is despite him talking to ire a few minutes ago.


    His eyes tracked her movements, admiring the effortless grace she carried. She was breathtaking, and he hated that he still noticed.


    His grip tightened around the stem of his wine ss as he surveyed the room. Several men were already eyeing her with clear interest, their staresced with hunger and intrigue. Alexander felt his jaw clench, but he forced himself to take a slow sip of his wine instead of reacting.


    It was infuriating. But what could he do?


    ire wasn''t his. She never would be again. And if he did something rash in public, it wouldn''t end well for either of them.


    Still, the jealousy simmered beneath hisposed facade. He had no im over her, yet the sight of her being admired by others left an ufortable tightness in his chest. He turned his attention back to his drink, downing the rest of the wine in a single gulp before setting the ss aside.


    Just then, Christian, his business partner, appeared beside him, following his gaze.


    "You look like you want to punch someone," Christian remarked with amusement. Alexander exhaled sharply. "That obvious?"


    Christian chuckled. "You''re staring at ire like you want to drag her out of here and lock her in a tower." Alexander scoffed. "Ridiculous."


    Christian smirked. "Is it? Because from where I''m standing, it looks a lot like jealousy."


    "Have you drunk all the wine, Christian? Looks to me that you might be drunk."


    Christian rolled his eyes. "Ohe on, Alex. You and I both know that you are attracted to ire but she has a boyfriend and with your longing look like that, it won''t look nice on the tabloid or guest." His best friend has a smirk etched on his face.


    Alexander didn''t reply, merely rolling his shoulders as he watched ire speak with one of the investors. He had to remind himself that this wasn''t personal-it was business.


    Alexander finally approached ire, setting his wine ss down on a passing waiter''s tray.


    "You''re back. Where have you been?" he said casually, standing beside her.


    ire didn''t even nce at him. "I left my phone in my room and while at it, I was in the middle of an important business call."


    "Of course. ire Peterson, always busy and upied."


    She rolled her eyes at Alex''s sarcastic response. "You always have to argue with me, don''t you?"


    He raised both of his hands up in a surrender way. "No, I was just joking. Lighten up will you?"


    A cold look etched on her face as she hates joking in the middle of a business event. Alexander got the


    memo as he cleared his throat. "Of course, l''apologize for making you ufortable?"


    Outside, Eligos''s car came to a slow stop across from the hotel entrance. He rolled down the tinted window slightly, watching as guests


    continued to arrive. The hotel''s


    name was still concealed behind arge drape, something Alexander Would likely unveilter in the night.


    Eligos smirked to himself. An opportunity.


    His attention shifted as he spotted Andre''s car pulling up. He watched as Andre stepped out with a feigned confidence, his posture controlled but his eyes betraying his nerves." Eligos leaned back in his seat, satisfied. Andre was ying the role exactly as he had been instructed.


    Eligos''s ability to manipte the


    system never ceased to amaze even himself. Hacking into the security database, forging an invitation, ensuring Andre''s face was clear in the digital registry-none of it had been simple, but ire had underestimated him yet again. She constantly updated her systems, always attempting to outmaneuver unseen threats, yet here he was, slipping through the cracks with ease.


    Eligos chuckled to himself.


    They never saw iting.


    He almost felt sorry for her. Almost.


    Eligos''s driver nced at him through the rearview mirror, awaiting further instructions.


    "Park in front of the lobby," Eligos said smoothly. "I want to get a closer look."


    As the car rolled forward, Eligos watched as Andre handed his invitation to security. The guard checked


    the credentials, nced at Andre''s face, and, after a brief pause, nodded for him to enter.


    A slow, satisfied grin spread across Eligos''s lips.


    And so, the game began.