Chapter 14

The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of crushed pine needles and expensive perfume.

Backstage—a massive, heated luxury tent erected just outside the glass conservatory—was a symphony of beautiful, organized chaos. Hairdryers roared, makeup brushes flew across cheekbones, a

Chapter 15

The morning sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Elena’s new studio, illuminating the space in a brilliant, golden wash.

The atmosphere was entirely different from the frantic energy of the night before. Today, the studio felt like a sanctuary. Elena sat behind her massiv

Chapter 16

The penthouse suite of the Cross Conglomerate tower was quiet, a stark contrast to the thumping bass and roar of the crowd hundreds of feet below. Elena Croft stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror, her reflection a portrait of absolute, unyielding power.

She wore a gown of her own c