Chapter Fourteen: I'll Do My Part

The car glided past the towering gates of the Dejeva estate, its tires whispering against the smooth cobblestones that led up to a mansion so grand it could’ve been carved from arrogance itself. The moonlight kissed the marble facade, its glow bouncing off the gold-trimmed pillars and massive arched windows like it was bowing in submission to the wealth housed within.

The engine purred to a stop.

Cross Dejeva stepped out of the backseat like a king descending from a throne. Dressed in black on black, his presence alone was sharper than a blade. His icy eyes flicked over the familiar grounds with a practiced disinterest. Security guards standing at attention quickly lowered their heads in greeting.

“Good evening, Boss,” one of them said respectfully.

Cross didn’t reply. Words were currency to him—he never wasted them. Instead, he tossed his car key to the nearest guard and strode up the steps like the world owed him every breath it dared to take.

The heavy doors parted open, revealing