Roman moved through the room with practised ease, the centre of gravity without trying.

He paused at the Cross brothers’ table.

Sebastian raised his glass slightly. “Hell of a building, Roman. You’ve outdone yourself.”

Damien nodded. “True. I can see how this partnership’s going to be profitable for everyone.”

Roman smiled, genuine but brief. “Couldn’t have done it without you believing in it early.”

He shook hands with investors, answered a quick question from a reporter—“Expansion plans? We’ll see how Chicago treats us first”—then he moved on.

But inside, the weight pressed. This wasn’t just a celebration. This was proof.

Everything he’d fought for, bled for, built when no one...