The gates of Julian’s childhood home loomed ahead, their wrought iron now rusted with neglect. He paused, the chill of the night air biting at his skin, his breath misting as he exhaled. The last time he’d stood here, it was as Julian Grey, a man betrayed. Now, as Victor Kane, he was a stranger to his past.“Sir,” the caretaker said, fumbling with the keys. “The house is just as you left it.”Julian offered a curt nod and stepped onto the gravel driveway. Each crunch under his polished leather shoes felt like an intrusion on memories long buried.Inside, the air was heavy with the scent of dust and wood polish. His footsteps echoed down the corridor, stopping at the study. The room was exactly as he remembered: dark oak shelves lined with books, a vintage globe in the corner, and his father’s desk, still as imposing as ever.He traced a finger along the edge of the desk, his thoughts drifting. His father’s voice seemed to whisper in the silence: “A man is only as strong as his integri

Julian sat in his dimly lit study, the glow of his laptop casting sharp shadows on his face. The encrypted files before him held the culmination of years of meticulous planning—his blueprint for dismantling Ethan Brooks’ empire. But as the plan grew, so did the risk, and he needed someone to walk into the lion’s den on his behalf.Madeline’s face flickered in his mind. Her intelligence, her fire—her damn ability to keep him on edge. Trusting her was a gamble, but one he couldn’t avoid. He picked up his phone and sent a message:“Rooftop bar. 9 PM. This isn’t about business. Come alone.”The rooftop was quiet, the city sprawled below in a sea of shimmering lights. Julian leaned against the railing, his expression unreadable as Madeline approached, her coat fluttering in the breeze.“Cryptic much?” she said, arching a brow.Julian handed her a slim folder without preamble. “Read.”Madeline opened it, her brows furrowing as she scanned the documents. Halfway through, she looked up sharpl

The boardroom felt suffocating, a tension hanging thick in the air. Ethan sat at the head of the table, his fingers drumming against the polished wood, his eyes scanning through financial reports. He looked outwardly calm, but a restless energy churned beneath his well-maintained façade.He knew something was wrong. He could feel it. But even in the middle of his empire's unraveling, he hadn’t grasped the full scope of the threat.The door creaked open, and the temperature in the room dropped. Ethan’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as a figure stepped in, cutting through the heavy silence.Victor Kane.No— not Victor Kane."Julian?" The word barely escaped Ethan’s lips, his voice hoarse with disbelief.Julian stepped forward, his cold eyes locking with Ethan’s. There was nothing familiar about him anymore. The man before Ethan wasn’t the one he’d buried. This was someone sharper, harder. Julian Grey. The name, once lost to him, hung in the air like a blade."Long time no see, Eth

The grand ballroom of the Carmichael Hotel shimmered with decadence. Glittering chandeliers illuminated the space, bathing the city’s elite in golden light as the hum of polite laughter and clinking glasses filled the air. Journalists hovered at the edges, cameras flashing to capture every dazzling detail of the evening’s charity gala.At the center of it all stood Ethan, polished and magnetic in his perfectly tailored suit, a champagne flute in hand as he worked the room with the ease of a seasoned predator. Beside him, Eva played the part of the supportive partner, her gown a vision of elegance, though her smile seemed plastered on.Neither of them noticed the man who had just entered, his presence slicing through the glamour like a razor.Julian, now Victor Kane, swept into the room like a storm cloaked in silk. His dark suit was sharp enough to cut, his piercing gaze scanning the crowd with purpose. At his side, Madeline Sinclair exuded quiet power in a midnight-blue gown that cau

Julian barely noticed the weight of the city skyline behind Madeline as he entered his office. Her silhouette, rigid and sharp, cut through the glow of the lights. She didn’t turn when he walked in, but he felt the tension radiating from her.“You’ve made a habit of showing up unannounced,” he said, loosening his tie as he approached.She turned then, her eyes locked onto his with an intensity that stopped him mid-step. “And you’ve made a habit of becoming someone I don’t recognize.”Julian smirked, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “You don’t come here for recognition, Madeline. So, tell me—what is it this time?”Her voice was steady, but it carried an edge that could cut glass. “You’re slipping further into the shadows, Julian. Revenge is consuming you, and I can’t stand by and watch it happen.”Julian walked to his desk and poured himself a glass of whiskey. He took a slow sip, letting the burn steady him before replying. “So, this is an intervention?”“No.” She crossed the room, s