Roman Volkov's heart hammered against his ribs as he sat in Liam's villa, surrounded by Havenwood City's elite. The grand room that had once hosted lavish celebrations now felt like a trap closing around him. Every face that had once smiled at Liam in deference now bore expressions of fearful obedience to the man who had summoned them all.
Conrad Thornton.
I shouldn't have come, Roman thought, feeling sweat trickle down his spine. But what choice did I have?
The message had been clear: attendance was mandatory. Those who defied Conrad Thornton didn't live long enough to regret it.
"Your name?" Uncle Armando called out, his voice cutting through the tense silence as he continued down his list.
"Jessica Chen, Havenwood Daily," a trembling voice responded from across the room.
