Reignite the Flame

antly dressed crowd gathered in the grand ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria. Ella stepp

n without trying too hard. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the night ahead. This dinner was su

they entered, scanning the room filled with power

oesn't matter. This is about

ld be here. Their paths crossing again

through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and networking with practiced ease.

nversations as she passed, her name paired wi

him for money

but at what co

g billions over lov

utral expression. She'd dealt with this before-the endless spe

she allowed herself a

the bartender offe

cornered

ly to find Max standing beside her, a glass of whiskey in hand. His pre

on me," she replied, her voice steady

onsidering all the attention

er eyes. "I did

e locking onto hers. "

ed to let him see it. "If you'll e

s voice followed her. "Enjoy the

as drawn to a group of executives standing near the stage. Their voi

s wine. "Marry the CEO, build your empire, then leave him w

trying to get the merger to sa

She wanted to storm over and set them straight, but she

to do, Max's voice cut thro

ne was calm, but the steel beneath it was unmistakable. "If you'r

uneasy glances,

o save her company. Ella Stone is one of the most formidable business people

urned, but this time it wasn't from humil

ack to the men. "Now, if you'll excuse us, I think y

rsed, muttering apologi

fore stepping closer, her voice low

eyebrow. "Yo

" she snapped, her hands cur

deningly calm. "I wasn't going to stand there

"Do you think that ma

ened. "That's not w

emanded, her voice rising. "Why do

ropping to a softer, more intimate tone. "

ache, but she refused to let her guard

ed, taking a step clos

g. Ella swallowed hard, her resolve wavering.

he'd left. Why she couldn't l

y, her voice trembling. "We can't ju

xpression unreadable. "You're right. We can't.

her rounds, exchanging pleasantries and maintainin

t her like a wave. She kicked off her heels and collapsed ont

r thoughts. She picked it up, expecti

een displayed an

r head. Walk away w

tared at the words. This wasn't the first warning

. Who was behind this? And ho

ing exposed. The walls that had always been her

breath, she

onight," she said, her voice steady despite the panic

he message. Whoever was behind this wa

of water, but before she could take a sip, her apartment l