Chapter 2 - The Interrogation
The tall man in the shadows stepped fully into the dim light of the office.
I recognized him immediately from my father’s extensive intelligence files.
He was Silas, Daniel’s most ruthless enforcer and fiercely loyal right-hand man.
Silas tossed a thick, yellow manila folder onto the mahogany desk.
He informed Daniel that Emily McBride did not exist in any public records before three weeks ago.
Daniel lowered his pistol slightly, but his dark, calculating eyes never left my face.
He asked me again, his voice dangerously soft, why a ghost would risk her life to save him.
I swallowed hard, frantically trying to calculate my next move.
If I revealed my true identity as a Marchetti, I would be tortured and killed instantly.
I looked Daniel straight in the eye and lied, saying I was a freelance corporate spy hired to protect him.
I claimed an anonymous client paid me handsomely to ensure the Ashford empire remained completely stable.
Daniel smirked, clearly not believing a single word falling from my lips.
He walked over to his desk and poured two glasses of amber whiskey.
He offered me one, but I adamantly refused to take it.
Silas chuckled darkly and asked if I was afraid he had poisoned my drink.
Daniel told Silas to secure the ballroom and have a private medical team test the spilled champagne.
Silas nodded obediently and slipped out of the room, leaving me entirely alone with the mafia king.
Daniel stepped closer again, his gaze dropping to my lips for a brief, dangerous second.
He whispered that my kiss was quite convincing for a corporate professional.
A sudden, aggressive knock on the office door shattered the tense atmosphere.
Katherine burst into the room accompanied by four heavily armed security guards.
Her perfect face was twisted into a mask of pure, unadulterated hatred.
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She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at me and screamed a terrifying accusation.
She proudly announced to Daniel that she had just found a vial of deadly poison hidden inside my purse.
