The church bells tolled across the valley, a heavy, mournful sound that usually signaled a holy union. Today, however, to Elara, it sounded more like the tolling of a funeral bell for her own dreams.

While Liana spun in Julian's arms, Dominic bypassed the heavy security on the 40th floor. He neutralized two armed guards with brutal, silent efficiency, dragging them into a utility closet.

He stood before the biometric vault. He pulled a small, clear polymer strip from his pocket—it held a cloned copy of Vivienne's fingerprint, lifted from a wine glass by a bribed waiter earlier that evening.

He pressed it to the scanner. The heavy steel door hissed, the locking mechanisms turning with a heavy clack.

Inside, the vault was lined with millions in cash and diamonds, but Dominic ignored it all. He went straight for a small, black leather-bound book sitting on a pedestal. The Sterling Ledger.

Back in the ballroom, Julian was spinning a web of lies. "I can fix this, Liana. Come back to me. We can rule this company together. Dominic is just using you!"

"Using me?" Liana laughed softly, stopping the dance. She leaned in close to Julian’s ear. "Dominic gave me a sword. You gave me a fake brass locket. We are not the same, Julian."

She pulled away, leaving Julian standing on the dance floor like a fool, and walked directly toward Duchess Vivienne, who was glaring at her from the VIP lounge.

"Having a good evening, Vivienne?" Liana asked, her voice carrying over the music.

"You impudent little rat," Vivienne sneered, gripping her cane. "You think a ruby makes you royalty? I will crush you."