[EVE]
I couldn't help but glance over at Sinclair. In my eyes, he was cool right now, a force of nature standing tall amidst the chaos.
I hadn't known what to expect coming here, standing in debt to a man like Sinclair.
It was reckless showing up in public like this, a target painted on my back, but I had no choice. Sinclair's protection was the only thing shielding me from the wolves that lurked in the shadows.
His offer came with a price, of course, but being under his wing, as his
adopted
daughter
no less, would make the others think twice before coming after me openly. They'd hesitate.
But the downside? The danger was now constant, relentless—though honestly, that wasn't new. My life had always been on a knife's edge right now.
At least Sinclair promised me one thing—he would hire the best bodyguard in the world to protect me. The thought gave me a small measure of relief, something to hold onto in the storm.
I couldn't afford to be reckless anymore, not with this new role hanging over me. It was better than being alone, than refusing the deal. Now, I'd have someone by my side, a powerful man like Sinclair and a bodyguard of my own.
The scene unfolding before me was both a spectacle and a nightmare. I watched the shocked faces of the people around us, their disbelief on their face.
I wanted to get away, to disappear from the chaos, but there was no escaping this circus. The gunshot wound in my side throbbed with every breath, and I wanted nothing more than to rest.
But just as I was preparing to slip away, Sophie's voice cut through the room like a knife.
"
Grandfather
!" she cried out, rushing down the stairs, her steps hurried and clumsy. She nearly stumbled in her haste, desperate to reach Sinclair.
When she finally did, she grabbed at his sleeve, her voice trembling pitifully.
I couldn't help but smirk at the absurdity of it all. Continue the party? After
this
?
The room was thick with tension, the guests barely managing to keep up the pretense of normalcy. And the truth was for everyone to see—the cracks in the Rosette family were now visible to all.
No amount of champagne could mask the seismic shift that had just occurred. The media vultures in the room were surely dying to get to their keyboards, to break the news to the world.
This was no mere family drama—it was the beginning of a power struggle that would be whispered about.
And I was going to help Sinclair and Victor tear down Sullivan and Stefan, ensuring that Sinclair's empire remained unshaken. His son would never get the chance to siphon all that money into their greedy hands, fueling their private companies and extravagant lifestyles.
The tension in the room was almost unbearable.
"Ah, well now, dear guests," the host stammered, desperate to redirect attention. "Let us all enjoy the night and the food, shall we?"
But it was useless. The damage was done, and no one cared about the food. Guests surrounded us, their gazes darting between Sinclair, Victor, and myself like vultures circling fresh prey.
Some tried to ask Sinclair about his health, others eagerly sought to ingratiate themselves with Victor—the new President. Everyone wanted a piece of the power.
I stood back, watching it all unfold, and then I saw her—Sophie. The rage on her face was unmistakable. Her perfect little day had been shattered, stolen right from under her. She thought she was the center of the universe tonight, but Sinclair had turned her celebration into a nightmare.
Her expression twisted with barely-contained fury as I beamed sweetly at her, waggling my fingers in a mock wave. The small, taunting gesture only deepened her fury.
I had to admit, seeing her like this—helpless and seething—brought a rare, wicked satisfaction. Sophie had spent so long basking in the light, so convinced of her own importance. But now, her spotlight had been stolen, and there was nothing she could do about it.
The one who had exiled me, who thought they could erase me from this world, now stood powerless before me.
I smiled wider, savoring the moment. The sweet taste of revenge coated my tongue, and I licked my lips, my gaze never leaving hers. She wanted me gone? She wanted to destroy me?
Let her try.
But I would burn them all down first. If they wanted war, I would give them one.