The grand living room of Vane Manor fell completely silent. The heavy wooden clock on the mantle ticked away the seconds like a countdown bomb. Clara stood frozen on the plush carpet, her chest heaving as she stared up into Lucian's dark, desperate eyes. Her heart wanted so badly to believe his words, but the cold piece of paper in her hand made it hard to trust anything.

Jax and Silas exchanged a grim, heavy look. They had fought side by side with Lucian for years, but a forged corporate document hidden inside a secure personal safe was a massive red flag that could not be ignored.

"If that signature...