4
Selene knew that once she made a deal with Damian Rios, there was no turning back.
By the time she left The Ember Club, the rain had picked up again, cold and relentless, soaking through her thin coat as she walked to her car. The city lights reflected off the wet pavement, and for a brief moment, she felt the weight of what she had just done settle onto her shoulders.
She had just aligned herself with a man who had no moral compass.
But what choice did she have? The justice system had failed Adrian. The police hadn't cared. The press had turned him into a villain.
If she wanted revenge, if she wanted the truth—she had to be willing to play the game the way men like Victor Langley did.
Selene slid into the driver's seat, gripping the wheel tightly as she exhaled. Damian had promised to start digging, but that meant she had to hold up her end of the bargain.
And she knew exactly where to start.
The First Target
The next morning, Selene walked into a high-rise office building downtown, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She had dressed the part—her most professional black dress, hair neatly styled, makeup carefully done.
She had an appointment.
Elliot Grayson. A name she had written second on her list.
Elliot had been one of Adrian's closest friends before the scandal. They had worked together for years, built the company side by side—until Victor turned on Adrian.
Elliot hadn't defended him. Hadn't spoken out. Instead, he had cut all ties, acting as if Adrian had never existed.
Selene had always suspected that Elliot knew more than he let on.
Now, she intended to find out.
She approached the receptionist with a polite smile. "I have a meeting with Mr. Grayson."
The woman checked her schedule, then nodded. "He's expecting you. Right this way."
A few minutes later, Selene was seated in Elliot's sleek, modern office, staring across at the man who had once been like a brother to Adrian.
Elliot looked uncomfortable. "Selene," he greeted stiffly. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you."
"I bet," she said, keeping her tone neutral.
There was an awkward silence. Then, Elliot sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "Look, if this is about Adrian—"
"This is absolutely about Adrian," she interrupted, leaning forward. "He was your best friend. You knew him better than anyone. And yet, when he was accused, you said nothing. You let them destroy him."
Elliot's jaw tightened. "It wasn't that simple."
"Wasn't it?" Her voice was sharp now. "Adrian was framed. You must have known that."
He didn't answer.
Selene watched him carefully. Guilt. It was written all over his face.
"You're scared," she said quietly. "You're afraid of what happens if you talk. But Elliot, he's already dead. What more can they do?"
Elliot swallowed hard, his gaze flickering to the glass windows as if someone might be listening.
Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he said, "It wasn't just Victor."
Selene's breath caught.
"What do you mean?" she pressed.
Elliot shook his head, looking pale. "I can't—"
"Who else was involved?"
He stood suddenly. "This was a mistake. You shouldn't have come here."
Selene stood too, blocking his way. "Elliot, if you know something, tell me. Adrian deserves that much."
He hesitated.
Then, finally, he muttered, "Check the prison records. Adrian wasn't supposed to die. They wanted him quiet, not gone."
Her pulse pounded. "Who wanted him quiet?"
Elliot glanced toward the door, then back at her.
"I never saw the full list, but… Victor wasn't working alone. And if you dig too deep—" He exhaled. "You'll end up just like Adrian."
A warning.
But Selene wasn't afraid.
She had just confirmed what she had suspected all along. This wasn't just about Victor. This was bigger.
And she was going to burn them all down.