THE HEIR'S AGONY TRIAL BY FIRE

DANGEROUS PROPOSITION

The hum of the chandelier swaying overhead provided an eerie soundtrack to the grandiose silence of the Cross estate’s ballroom. The gala was in full swing, the kind of event where every smile hid a dagger and every handshake threatened betrayal. For Aidan, it was yet another night spent on high alert.

Chloe Reynolds slipped through the crowd like a shadow, her emerald gown glinting under the dim light. She spotted Aidan at the edge of the room, nursing a drink and a suspicious glare at everyone who came too close.

“I didn’t think you’d show,” Aidan said as she approached.

Chloe offered a thin smile. “I didn’t have a choice. Neither do you.”

They moved to a secluded alcove, away from prying eyes.

“You said you had a proposition,” Aidan began, his voice sharp. “Start talking.”

Chloe folded her arms. “Victor has overplayed his hand. He thinks he’s untouchable, but his arrogance is his weakness. I can help you take him down.”

“And why would you do that?” Aidan asked, his tone icy.

“Because if I don’t, he’ll destroy me,” Chloe said bluntly. “Victor doesn’t tolerate loose ends, and I’ve seen too much.”

Aidan leaned closer, his eyes narrowing. “How do I know you’re not setting me up?”

Chloe smirked. “If I were working for Victor, do you think I’d be talking to you here, where half the room would gladly report back to him?”

“Fair point,” Aidan conceded. “What do you want in return?”

“Protection,” Chloe said. “Once Victor’s out of the picture, I want a clean slate new identity, new life.”

Aidan stared at her, weighing his options. “Fine. But if you double-cross me, you’ll regret it.”

“I could say the same to you,” Chloe replied coolly.

Back in the ballroom, the atmosphere was electric. Seraphina Cross glided through the crowd like a queen holding court, her every gesture calculated. She exchanged pleasantries, dropped subtle comments, and laughed lightly at jokes that weren’t funny.

From across the room, Emery Blackwell watched her with a knowing smirk. He caught Aidan’s eye and raised his glass in a mock salute before making his way over.

“Well, well,” Emery drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. “If it isn’t the reluctant heir.”

“What do you want, Emery?” Aidan asked, not in the mood for games.

“Just a friendly warning,” Emery said, leaning in conspiratorially. “The enemy you’re fighting isn’t just Victor. The Cross empire has layers, Aidan—dark ones. You’re not prepared for what’s coming.”

Aidan frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Emery shrugged. “Consider this a courtesy. Or don’t. Either way, you’ll see soon enough.”

Before Aidan could press further, Emery melted back into the crowd, leaving him with more questions than answers.

As the night wore on, Aidan felt the weight of the gala’s scrutiny. Victor Sinclair was conspicuously absent, but his presence loomed like a shadow. Chloe had disappeared, and even Elliot, who had snuck in disguised as catering staff, had gone radio silent.

Seraphina approached him, her expression unreadable. “You look troubled, dear.”

“I’m fine,” Aidan replied curtly.

Seraphina smiled faintly. “You should enjoy yourself. After all, appearances are everything in this family.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Aidan said, his tone clipped.

As she walked away, her words lingered like a warning.

The gala took a sharp turn when Aidan received a text from Chloe: **“Meet me in the west garden. Now.”**

He slipped out unnoticed, finding her pacing near a fountain, her usually composed demeanor cracked.

“What’s going on?” Aidan asked.

Chloe turned to him, her face pale. “Victor knows. About us, about everything. He’s making his move.”

Aidan’s heart sank. “How?”

“I don’t know, but he’s always a step ahead,” Chloe said. “We need to act now, or we’re both dead.”

Aidan clenched his fists. “Then we fight.”

Chloe hesitated. “There’s something else. Emery—he’s not just a rival. He’s part of this. I think he’s working for Victor.”

The revelation hit Aidan like a punch to the gut. Back inside, the gala was still in full swing, oblivious to the chaos brewing outside.

Elliot finally chimed in on the secure comm Aidan had given him. “Aidan, we’ve got a problem.”

“What now?” Aidan asked, his voice tense.

“There’s a signal coming from the estate—a direct line to Victor. He’s been listening in all night.”

“Where’s the source?” Aidan demanded.

“Main ballroom,” Elliot replied. “Hidden in one of the chandeliers.”

Aidan swore under his breath. “Can you disable it?”

“Already working on it,” Elliot said. “But it’ll take time.”

As Aidan reentered the ballroom, the tension was palpable. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on Emery, who was deep in conversation with Seraphina.

Lydia appeared at his side, her expression unusually serious. “What’s going on?”

“Victor’s been spying on us,” Aidan said quietly.

Lydia’s eyes widened. “How?”

“Long story,” Aidan replied. “But we need to act fast.”

To his surprise, Lydia nodded. “What do you need?”

“Cover,” Aidan said. “And distraction.”

Lydia smirked. “Consider it done.”

The next few moments were a blur. Lydia caused a scene with one of the board members, drawing everyone’s attention. Aidan used the chaos to slip away, heading toward the control panel Elliot had pinpointed.

He found it hidden behind a false wall, its blinking lights confirming Elliot’s analysis.

“Got it,” Elliot said in his ear. “Disable that, and we cut Victor’s feed.”

Aidan worked quickly, his hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. Just as he finished, a voice behind him froze him in place.

“You really think this will stop me?”

Aidan turned slowly, his blood running cold. Victor Sinclair stood in the doorway, a cold smile on his face.

“Well, this just got interesting,” Victor said, his tone mocking.

Aidan’s fists clenched. “It’s over, Victor.”

Victor chuckled. “Oh, Aidan. It’s only just beginning.”