Vanessa sat in the lavish living room of her apartment, legs crossed as her gaze fixed on the stack of envelopes filled with cash she had placed on the glass table.

“You understand, don’t you?” Her voice was cold but coercive as she stared at one of her allies standing before her. “This isn’t just an offer. This… is an investment in your future. Make sure no one dares to oppose us.”

The ally swallowed hard. “Of course, Miss Vanessa. I… I’ll do my best.”

Vanessa smiled faintly, though her eyes revealed something far darker.

“Good. Remember—silence is golden. No one must know what we’re doing.”

What Vanessa failed to...