The grand ballroom of the Astor Estate was not merely a venue; it was a fortress of unimaginable wealth, an architectural masterpiece designed to intimidate and mesmerize in equal measure

Genevieve looked at the heavy black ledger in her hands. She looked down at the hundreds of police cars surrounding the manor. Then, she looked at the man she had married just three hours ago.

Julian’s hand was shaking, but his eyes promised murder.

"He's lying, Genevieve," Isabel pleaded, stepping back toward the edge of the roof. "He kills everyone who stops being useful to him. You know that."

Genevieve took a deep breath. She slowly walked toward Julian, holding the ledger out.

"Genevieve, no!" Isabel screamed.

Julian smiled, a triumphant, wicked grin. "Good girl. You always were a smart woman."

As Genevieve closed the distance, Julian lowered the gun slightly, reaching out to take the book.

But Genevieve didn't hand him the ledger.

With blinding speed, she slammed the heavy, hardbound book directly upward into Julian’s jaw. The impact snapped his head back, and the revolver fired wildly into the night sky.

Before Julian could recover, Genevieve grabbed his wrist, twisting it violently until he dropped the weapon. She kicked him squarely in the chest, sending the billionaire stumbling backward onto the cold tar of the roof.