The gala was a theater of power, where the city’s elite gathered to worship at the altar of vanity.

Lily was walking back to her small motel in Queens, the freezing wind cutting through her coat. Julian’s team had secured her files, but she still felt a lingering paranoia. She kept her head down, clutching her laptop bag tightly to her chest.

As she turned the corner onto her deserted street, a black SUV without license plates pulled up aggressively onto the curb, cutting off her path.

Two massive men in dark coats stepped out. Lily didn't hesitate. She turned and sprinted in the opposite direction.

"Grab her!" one of the men shouted.

Lily was fast, fueled by raw adrenaline, but the men were professionals. She ducked into a narrow alleyway, scrambling over a chain-link fence, scraping her hands on the rusted metal. She hit the ground hard, her laptop bag skidding across the pavement.

Before she could grab it, a heavy boot slammed down onto the bag, crushing the laptop inside with a sickening crunch.

Marcus stood over her, pulling a heavy steel baton from his coat. "Vivian sends her regards, little girl."

Lily scrambled backward, trapped against a brick wall. This was it. She had pushed the queen too far, and now she was going to pay the price. Marcus raised the baton, his eyes devoid of mercy.

Suddenly, the screech of tires echoed at the mouth of the alley. A sleek silver Aston Martin slammed to a halt. Julian Sterling stepped out, flanked by three of his own armed security guards.

"I think that’s enough," Julian’s voice rang out, cold and commanding.

Marcus froze, assessing the situation. He was outgunned. Julian’s guards raised their suppressed weapons, training the red laser sights directly on Marcus's chest.

"This isn't your fight, Sterling," Marcus growled.

"It became my fight the moment Vivian decided to touch my investment," Julian said smoothly, walking forward and offering his hand to Lily.

Lily took it, pulling herself up, her knees trembling.

"Tell Vivian," Julian sneered at Marcus, "that breaking laptops won't save her. The files are in the cloud. And tomorrow, we rain on her parade. Get out of my sight."

Marcus backed away slowly, getting into the SUV and peeling out into the night.

Julian looked at Lily, his expression softening just a fraction. "Are you alright?"