Marco stormed into the room, his anger barely contained.


    Charles Kingston satfortably, nked by Bill and a few bodyguards from Vermont.


    "Marco, you''re here to join the fun too?" Charles grinned, leaning back in his sofa.


    "Charles, I transferred my money. You said Vermont National Life Group would enter Vancouver, but why hasn''t it happened yet?" Marco demanded.


    Charles chuckled, swirling his drink.


    "I promised they woulde, but I never said it would be today. Be patient, Marco. Are you already running out of money? I heard your gigolo business is thriving. Those olddies are practically throwing their fortunes at you."


    Everyone in the room was aware of Marco''s primary business, but hearing Charles mock him still stung-especially since it was his money that had been lost.


    "I heard your sister, Jasmine Kingston, is stopping the expansion. My money-l want it back."


    "She did?" Charlesughed, the sound casual, almost amused.


    "Marco, if you''re too scared to take a loss in business, maybe you shouldn''t be in it. The stock will reach Vancouver when the time is right-just not now."


    "And remember, you invested through Bill, not me. I''m just the middleman."


    Marco clenched his fists, understanding all too well that Charles had no intention of returning his


    And he didn''t dare demand it from Bill.


    His eyes darkened. "Charles, would it be a problem if I helped you... control your little sister a bit?"


    Charles raised an eyebrow, then smirked.


    money.


    "Please. However you n to change her mind, that''s your business. The only thing I can promise is that I won''t interfere. Hell, I might even support you."


    "Fine." Marco lifted his chin, looking proud, arrogant. "I know some guys-a gangsters who''ll do the dirty work for the right price. It''s time to teach you how to control your little sister."


    He turned and walked toward the door, his footsteps echoing in the silence. Charles didn''t bother looking up.


    He smiledzily, taking another sip of his drink. "Just don''t die."


    If only Jasmine Kingston were that easy to handle.


    People called her "Immortal" for a reason-no matter how many tried to kidnap or kill her, none had ever seeded.


    Not long after, two figures dressed in ck entered the hall.


    The moment they stepped in, an unsettling stench filled the air.


    Charles wrinkled his nose at the foul mix of ash and decaying blood.


    It clung to them, thick and suffocating, yet Bill weed them without hesitation.


    "Who are they?" Charles asked, turning to one of Bill''s managers the man hade all the way from Vermont with him.


    The manager hesitated before nodding toward the neers. "They are disciples of Vet. They deal in poison and ck magic."


    "ck magic?" Charles frowned, his skepticism evident. "People ill believe in that nonsense?"


    The manager''s expression darkened.


    He leaned in and whispered, his voice barely above a breath. "Mr. Kingston, please... don''t do anything reckless with them.


    ck magic requires a transaction with demons, with the dark side. And every transaction must be paid for-with life and blood.


    21


    Charles scoffed, though something about the manager''s tone unsettled him.


    His fingers curled against his ss, cold seeping into his skin.


    Then Bill spoke with the two figures, their conversation hushed, unreadable.


    But when all three of them suddenly turned to look at Charles and chuckled, his gut twisted.


    Something was very, very wrong.


    ***


    As time passed, more guests arrived, filling the venue withughter and conversation.


    Crystal chandeliers glowed overhead, casting soft light over the luxurious setting.


    A well-known entertainer performed on the main stage, drawing polite apuse, while below, guests sipped wine and exchanged pleasantries.


    Sophia and her family-Florence, her mother, and Jack, her younger brother- stood near one of the grand buffet tables.


    Florence was practically glowing with pride, while Jack looked bored out of his mind.


    "Wow, Sophie," Florence gushed, her eyes drifting over the champagne fountains and carved ice sculptures.


    "Just look at this! And to think one day, this might all be under your name."


    Sophia tried to keep her tone modest. "Mom, I''m just a partner. The Kingston family still holds the majority. I''m a smaller stakeholder-secondary, really."


    "Secondary is still plenty!" Florence cackled, throwing a smug nce at a passing guest.


    "Once we''re tied to the Kingstons, we''ll never have to worry about money again. Right, Jack?"


    Jack perked up, though his tone held a wry edge.


    "Sure, sure. But Sis, if you''re raking in the dough now, how about financing me a new car? Something shy, maybe a convertible?"


    Sophia''s patience thinned. “I already give you more spending money than you need. Manage that first."


    Jack''s expression soured. "I was managing fine, until I dumped all my savings into Vermont National Life. Now, I''my begging for coins on the street."


    ically


    Sophia''s knuckles tightened around her winess.


    "Then do me a favor, little brother-hang tight for a few days. Sell when you get the chance, buy with your own money, and quit bothering me about it."


    She turned away, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Alex-and Jasmine.


    "You invited Alex here?" Jack followed her gaze, his face twisting with annoyance. "What a downer!"


    "I didn''t," Sophia replied tly.


    "He showed up uninvited? That''s so shameless!" Jack grimaced, shaking his


    head.


    But then his eyesnded on Jasmine, and his expression shifted in an instant. He straightened, his interest piqued.


    "Hey, who''s that beauty next to him? She''s stunning!"


    "Beauty?" Florence scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "She''s a vixen! She''s


    the one who took Alex from our apartment, treating that gigolo like a prince. I nearly pped her that day!"


    Jack''s annoyance red.


    "So that''s the tramp who''s been parading Alex around? Did he bring her here just


    to rub it in Sis''s face? That worthless piece of garbage!"


    He turned to Sophia, righteous fury simmering in his eyes. "We can''t let him get away with disrespecting you. Want me to knock him around a bit? I''ve been itching for a reason."


    Sophia''s expression hardened, but she managed to keep her voice steady.


    "Don''t you dare. Today''s the opening ceremony. We''re here to make connections, not start a street brawl."


    Florence crossed her arms, face twisted with anger. "To hell with that. This is the Lancaster Building-our territory. I''m not letting that scumbag and his new woman waltz in here like they own the ce. I''ll make both of them kneel if I have to, show them who''s in charge."


    "Mom-"


    "No, Sophia,” Florence snapped, pushing her daughter''s hand away. "I''ve had enough. Jack! Move yourzy butt!"


    A dark grin spread across Jack''s face. "With pleasure."


    Before Sophia could stop them, Florence and Jack were already storming across


    the ballroom, guests parting in confusion and mild horror at the fury radiating off


    the pair.


    Alex and Jasmine were blissfully unaware-until Florence and Jack closed in, det