The sun was setting, bleeding crimson across the sky.

Alexia was alone behind the wheel of her white Ferrari as she pulled up to Windermere Estate.

Inside the study, Chad sat composed at his mahogany desk, pen in hand, scribbling an elegant line of calligraphy—though in this case, it was an old Latin proverb:

"In the spring, all things are renewed and shine with life."

His handwriting flowed effortlessly, bold and graceful, full of restrained power.

"Sir, Thaddeus has been discharged from the hospital," Alexia announced, her voice tense.

She scowled, thinking of Chasel. "Honestly, that Bright guy is such a pain. He actually slapped Thaddeus in the hospital-over Evadne, no less! And then he shoved me! Can you believe that? What kind of man does that? He's just...ugh, don't get me started."

Chad's expression was somewhere between amused and thoughtful as he laid out a fresh sheet of parchment. "What, he hit my brother and you're worried about him?"

"No!" Alexia blurted, shaking her head. "I just think he meddles too much. He could throw your plans off."

Her eyes darkened. "With someone like that constantly riling Thaddeus up, pushing him, I'm worried he'll get curious about Evadne-maybe even start to remember how he once felt about her. If this keeps up, who knows what old feelings might get stirred up?"

want you to get in touch with this man," Chad said, pulling a file from the

over, flipping it open. Her

that group was history. Why are you interested in one

narrowed, a glint of

a photo of a man with a hauntingly familiar face, her jaw

He was with

like him, doesn't it? I was shocked myself

tone dropped, eyes cold

winter night.

UT

Cloudtop's key players, right-hand man to Cassius-the leader. And, once upon

You're incredible. How did you even discover

of

I once tried to take over Cloudtop. If Cassius hadn't stepped up and turned things around at the last moment, Cloudtop would have

wistful. "Cassius outplayed me that time. I had to admit

snorted. "Yeah, well, he won't win forever. This time, you'll make him

be Cassius's weakness," Chad mused. "But Cassius was ruthless enough to sacrifice even

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