Hours slipped away like sand through an hourglass, yet the weight of the afternoon's revelations still clung to Eliana's chest. By the time the sun sank low, painting the city in molten gold, a sleek black limousine glided to the entrance of La Lumière—an opulent restaurant perched on the edge of downtown's glittering chaos.
James sat behind the wheel, his plan executed with his usual precision. He'd secured a secluded corner table with a perfect view of the skyline, the kind of detail only James ever thought of. Inside, the air was rich with the fragrance of fresh orchids, layered over the sizzling scent of gourmet dishes. Crystal glasses chimed like soft bells, blending with the murmur of refined conversations.
