ed unconscious, trapped in a dreamless slumbe

wheelchair, dressed in a perfectly cut blac

l-like a statue touched by the hands of gods. Everything about him exuded p

rned grim. "The paralysis is progressing. If we can't stop it, permanent immobilit

of Hudson Group and the reigning fi

ished and deeply influential, cloa

f the city's elite, he wasn't ju

obal crime ring, retrieving billions in stolen funds in under

n cutting-edge energy technology, giving Hu

o take the family empire global, reviving a waning legacy and

onfined to a wheelchair, left paralyzed from the waist

wasn't the only

cold as frost. "With my current condition

other, frail and nearing her end, had only one wish le

as stunned.

.

een lying on that bridge. She had no clue

ed fragments-fleeting images sli

tood out-a p

ble... unfamiliar yet h

morphed into Declan's fa

clan scream. "Once you're out of the way, Maddie

o

would be the victory

s of sacrifice-would be handed

ldn't a

this li

The first thing she saw was a bright,

punch. Her stomach twisted, and she curled for

ime felt d

kful-thankful that she

re aw

drifted to her, s

whole body going stiff as

face that truly unsettled her. It was his eyes. Cold and still, like the surface of a deep, motionl

dson?" she blu

arth was

. back?

aid

poke, his voice was calm and deliberate. "You had no fear when you plotted agai

felt as though she'd plunged into icy w

and Foster Group had clashed i

ed a deal with Kristopher, promis

tless hours, and a full marke

hour, she gave

Because Declan had begged, and she

thing Kristopher had in

e fallout. But the retaliation never came. Kristopher simply vanished. S

ight in front of her again... Was this wha

couldn'

, she wouldn't be ali

a steadied herself. "You w

le. "You're not entirely useless. If I hadn't

de

e that clos

her lip, rage flic

ure of love-a sign of unwavering trust. But now, that very trust felt like poison in her

one being

eclaim her life, she had to take back every sin

led her back fro

Krist

then did it hit her. He wasn't stand

him, shocked.

hat's why you disappear

"So? You going to

ok her head. "N

still commanding, still unreadable, still

e man left who could rival Foster Gr

d, analyzing ever

d her chin, and said with a quiet calm,