Jane POV

I woke up with my phone buzzing beside my pillow and for a moment, I hoped it was a work email or some company alerting me to anything that reminded me I was in control but it was not, It was Emily, again.


I sighed and dragged myself up from bed. My apartment was dark except for the faint morning light that slipped through the curtain. I haven't slept much and ever since Raheem went dark and the secretary disappeared, I have been restless. There was a calm in the air however it was the kind of calm that comes before a storm.

Emily's message was short and sweet.

'You are going to this party. I don't care what excuse you come up with. Check your inbox. You're welcome"


I frowned. A party? I could already feel my nerves tensed, parties were not my thing anymore and not in this phase of my life.

The last time I went to one, Nathan was still parading me around like his trophy and after then I have kept my circle tight and my visibility even tighter.


I opened my email and saw it, a digital invitation to some elite networking event. It was Hosted under a vague brand name. Private venue and strictly dress code. It was a confidential guest list. Emily must have pulled serious strings.

My fingers hovered over the delete button. I should not go and I don't like surprises.

But something holds me back.

Maybe it was the way things have been too quiet lately. There were no moves from Hades, no leaks and threat from anyone whatsoever. It was like he vanished or was planning something more dangerous.

I reread the invite.

It said the event was a celebration of innovation, a mix of tech, finance, and elite minds. Perfect bait for someone like me. And perfect bait for someone like him.

But I reminded myself, Emily would not do anything to betray me. She knew how important my secrecy was and she was the only one from my past I still trusted.

But still, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was a trap.

I got up and moved to the kitchen, fixed myself black coffee, and sipped in silence. My mind raced. Could this be his move?

I didn't like to be paranoid, but paranoia has kept me alive and I picked up my phone and called Emily.

She answered on the second ring. 'You saw it, didn't you?"

'I saw it," I replied. My voice was calm, but she could probably hear the edge.

'You need to go, Jane. I'm telling you, it's good for business. The kind of people that will be there? Investors, innovators, real money. Not vultures. Not your enemies."

'How do you know that?" I asked.

She sighed. 'Because I vetted it myself. I am on the inside, remember? I have been helping coordinate the guest list. And you are the most powerful woman not in the room."

I paced the kitchen, barefooted, my heart pounding slower than usual. 'It didn't feel right."

'Nothing ever feels right to you," she snapped gently. 'Because you have built walls so high even I can't climb them sometimes. You trust me, Jane?"

I paused for a second before responding. 'Yes."

'Then trust me on this. Come. I will be with you the whole time. There won't be any No surprises and threats. It will be just drinks, conversation, and power."

Her words settled over me like warm water, I realized she he meant well. I knew she did mean well, she was the only one left who called me by my real name without fear or manipulation behind it.

'Alright," I said softly. 'I will go."

'Good! Wear something unforgettable."

I ended the call and closed my eyes for a moment. My mind flashed back to everything that had happened. Nathan's betrayal, the courtroom wars, the burn of Hades' gaze when he saw through me, and the countless times I had to smile when I wanted to scream.

But I scaled through and I still agreed to go to a party that felt too orchestrated to be innocent. However, I will go and I will be ready.

I never stepped into a room without knowing how to own it.

Emily POV

I leaned back against the counter and grinned at my phone. She said yes. Finally,

It was not easy convincing her. Jane didn't do social events and she didn't do pleasure. Everything with her was about control, precision, silence, but tonight was different.

I took a deep breath and stared at the invitation again on my screen. The venue was gorgeous. A glass-covered rooftop overlooking the bay. The kind of place people toast to billion-dollar mergers with fake laughs and real egos.

And the host? Well, she didn't need to know that part yet.

Hades reached out a week ago. I didn't see it coming. The message came through an encrypted app, through a business contact of mine in Monaco. I nearly deleted it, not until I saw his name.

I still remembered how Jane talked about him, not too much, it was just enough to let me know he was not just someone that wanted to force a marriage with her or a business rival, he was also someone that got under her skin and that was dangerous for someone like her.

And now he wanted access again.

He requested me to get her there, quietly, no red flags, no direct invites, just something casual and friendly.

I was against it at first, but Jane's been through enough. She trusted me. But then I thought, maybe it was time she faced him. Maybe closure comes in strange packages, or probably he had changed.

People change and even devils, I guess.

Still, I kept a backup plan in my clutch. A burner phone. Just in case anything smells off tonight.

My dress was already laid out, it was midnight blue, silk and a statement piece.

Jane will wear black, she always does when she wants to look untouchable.

I sent a final text to the event coordinator, confirming our arrival time and then I paused and messagedHades.

'She is coming. Just as you have requested"

Three dots appeared and disappeared but there was no reply

That was fine. He got what he wanted.

Now let's see what he would do with it.