Chapter 3

The auction kicked off.

I tuned out the early lots; my interest piqued only when the auctioneer's voice rose with anticipation.

"And now, the crown jewel of tonight's event: the Mermaid's Tear pink diamond!"

As the lights dimmed and a single spotlight shone on the stage, a pink diamond the size of a pigeon's egg emerged, casting enchanting lights around the room.

I inhaled sharply, my hand poised over the switch.

Three, two, one……

Darkness swallowed the room.

Screams pierced the air, panic spreading like wildfire.

I ripped off the vent cover and slid down silently.

The moment my feet touched down, I was already at the display.

Three seconds.

That was all it took to disable the security, the diamond's cold sensation settling in my palm.

Suddenly, an ear-splitting alarm shattered the silence.

I cursed those weight sensors.

Backup lights snapped on, bathing the venue in a stark, unforgiving glow.

The thud of metal echoed through the air: every exit had slammed shut at once.

"Think you can mess with the Gilbert Group's stuff and live to tell the tale?"

The man's voice boomed from the stage, icy as a blade fresh from the forge.

I craned my neck, and there stood Bradley, looking sharp in his suit, his eyes scanning the room like a hawk poised for the kill.

'Oh, no,' I thought.

I spun on my heels and bolted for the darkened emergency exit.

The sound of footsteps chased after me, growing louder. I had barely made it into the hallway when a sudden force whipped by my side.

By reflex, I dodged, feeling the rush of air as a fist narrowly missed my ear, the breeze it left behind stinging.

Bradley was blocking the exit; my escape route was gone.

Shrouded in darkness, I could not make out his face, but his swift movements had me stumbling backward in no time.

My wrist went numb, the dagger nearly slipping from my grasp.

That guy was unbelievably skilled.

"Just give it up, and I'll end it fast."

His tone was calm, but it dripped with deadly intent.

I gritted my teeth, knowing a head-on fight was a one-way ticket to the grave.

In the corner of my eye, I spotted Rosemary, huddled against the wall, her face ghostly white.

I faked a move and lunged for Rosemary.

"Big mistake!"

Bradley's shout cut through the air.

Too late.

I snatched Rosemary's wrist, pressing the dagger to the artery in her neck. The blade broke skin, a single drop of blood emerging.

Rosemary went rigid, her breath caught in her throat.

"Move," I growled, voice rough on purpose. "Or she's gone."

Bradley froze.

Even in the pitch black, where his face was hidden, I could feel the lethal aura radiating off him.

"Lay a finger on her, and you'll wish you were never born."

"Then, back off."

I edged backward toward the window, gripping Rosemary tightly, every step measured and deliberate. Bradley, wary of harming her, matched my cautious retreat.

Rosemary shivered in my embrace, her lips drained of color.

"Bradley... Please, save me..."

"Be quiet," I barked, cutting her off.

Reaching the window, I nudged the lock open with my foot, letting the cool night air rush in.

That was it.

With a swift move, I thrust Rosemary into Bradley's arms and triggered the smoke bomb.

A cloud of white smoke instantly enveloped the hallway as I vaulted through the window.

Bang!

The gunshot rang out behind me.

Pain seared through my arm as the bullet struck, but I hit the ground running, ignoring the throbbing wound, hobbling away as fast as I could.

Behind me, Bradley's furious voice thundered, "Get her!"

I bolted into an alley where a motorcycle was speeding my way. Summoning every ounce of strength left, I jumped on and tore off toward our hideout.

I slammed the door shut behind me and crumpled to the floor, breathless.

Blood oozed from my arm, but I had no time for that then.

I opened my hand to reveal the prize: a pink diamond, glinting with an otherworldly glow.

"It's here. Now talk," I said.

Old Fox, ever the cool customer, took the diamond, inspected it briefly in the light, and then pulled out a sealed dossier from his desk.

"Everything you need to know about your guy is right here."