Chapter 1 - The Torn Coat
The grand, modern luxury room was bathed in the brilliant light of a massive crystal chandelier, reflecting off the pristine, black glossy floor. Formally dressed elite guests stood in a quiet semi-circle, watching the sudden, explosive tension unfolding near the cloakroom.
I stood completely still, clutching a heavy black suit coat to my chest.
I was Elena, a twenty-three-year-old maid wearing a black long-sleeve uniform shirt with a simple gold name tag. My dark hair was pulled back tightly into a bun, and my heart was hammering violently against my ribs.
Standing right in front of me, pointing an aggressive, manicured finger directly at my face, was Sophia. She was the stunning, thirty-something hostess of the charity gala, wearing a sparkling silver plunging evening gown with a high leg slit and a blinding diamond necklace. She was practically vibrating with toxic rage.
"Give him his coat!" Sophia demanded angrily, her shrill voice echoing off the glossy floor.
She wanted me to hand the coat to the man standing perfectly still between us.
He was in his late forties, incredibly handsome, with dark slicked-back hair and an all-black suit that projected absolute, lethal authority. Prominent dark tattoos covered the tops of his hands. He was Dante Moretti, the undisputed king of the city's underworld, and he was currently Sophia's fiancé.
I looked directly at Dante. I didn't cower under Sophia's screaming. I held the black coat firmly, refusing to hand it over casually.
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"I don't think you should put this on, sir," I stated calmly and seriously, making sure he heard every syllable. "The lining was cut."
👉 Sophia completely panicked, unaware that my warning was about to trigger an absolute nightmare.
