Chapter 1
The heavy glass doors of the Manhattan hotel slammed shut behind Amy with a muffled echo that seemed to vibrate directly inside Daniel’s chest. He stood frozen on the marble threshold, clutching the heavy platinum and diamond ring Margaret had just shoved into his palm.
"What did she say?" Daniel demanded again, his voice cracking with a sudden, uncharacteristic panic that sent cold sweat down his spine. Margaret stared at her grandson with eyes hardened by decades of surviving men who traded their souls for corporate ledgers.
"She said she finally chose peace, Daniel, which is something you clearly forgot how to offer her years ago," Margaret whispered coldly. Vanessa stepped out from the warm ballroom lights, resting a manicured hand casually on Daniel's unbuttoned suit lapel.
"Darling, why are you making a scene over a little marital tantrum? The gala investors are still waiting inside for our toast," Vanessa purred smoothly. Daniel recoiled from Vanessa's touch as if her skin were burning hot iron, his eyes wide with horror as the pieces finally clicked together.
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"Get your hands off me, Vanessa," Daniel growled, his voice dropping into a lethal register that made even the seasoned corporate lobbyist step back. He turned toward the valet stand, shouting for his car keys while Vanessa stared at him in absolute, sputtering disbelief.
"You're chasing after her? After everything we built tonight for the merger?" Vanessa shrieked, her voice rising above the ambient street noise of Park Avenue. Daniel didn't spare her another glance, diving into a waiting black town car and barking a single command to the driver: "JFK Airport, now."
