Daniel stepped into the private suite Lucas used for meetings, shutting the door behind him.

Aria was already there, sitting with one leg crossed over the other, scrolling through her tablet like a CEO reviewing an empire she already owned.

Lucas looked up first.

“Front man,” he grinned, “you survived Cross Empire?”

Daniel exhaled dramatically and dropped into the chair opposite them.

“Survived?” he scoffed. “Please. Your Mr. Damian Cross is sharp—too sharp. I barely sat down before he started studying me like a puzzle.”

Aria smirked, lowering her tablet.

“Did he buy the story?”

Daniel nodded.

“Oh, he bought it. I fed him a little praise, a little investors’...