Chapter 1 - The Shattered Glass
The music in the ballroom seemed to fade into a distant echo.
Every eye in the opulent room was locked onto my face.
Daniel Ashford stared at me with an intensity that made my blood run completely cold.
His dark eyes shifted slowly from my trembling lips to the shattered crystal on the marble floor.
He did not yell or make a scene in front of his wealthy guests.
Instead, his large hand closed around my wrist like a steel vice.
He ignored Katherine’s furious screaming and dragged me aggressively through the parted crowd.
We moved down a long, dimly lit corridor that led away from the glittering party.
My high heels stumbled over the thick Persian rugs as I struggled to keep up with his massive strides.
He shoved me into a dark mahogany office and slammed the heavy door shut behind us.
The sudden silence in the room was absolutely suffocating.
Daniel backed me up against the cold wooden panels of the door.
He leaned in close, his masculine scent of expensive cologne and danger washing over me.
He demanded to know exactly who I was and who sent me.
I forced my voice to tremble, playing the role of the innocent, terrified event planner.
I babbled a pathetic apology, claiming I had simply drank too much champagne and lost my mind.
Daniel let out a low, menacing laugh that offered absolutely zero comfort.
He told me he saw my eyes tracking the glass long before I ever made my move.
He knew I had intentionally destroyed the drink to save his life.
He reached into his tailored tuxedo jacket and pulled out a heavy silver pistol.
He pressed the cold barrel firmly against my chin and ordered me to drop the innocent act.
My heart hammered violently against my ribs as I desperately tried to maintain my fake persona.
Before I could say another lying word, the heavy velvet curtains on the far side of the office moved.
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A tall, imposing man stepped out of the shadows holding a silenced weapon aimed directly at my head.
He looked at Daniel and calmly announced that my background check just came back completely fake.
