Elsa hadn't planned on staying late.
The gala had drained her — not because of the press or the endless champagne, but because of Kieran.
His return scratched at old wounds.
But even as she stepped out into the cool night air, heels clicking against the marble steps of the Dominion Grand, she felt it:A presence she hadn't encountered in over a year.
"Still leaving early, Elsa?"
The voice was calm. Measured. Deceptively soft.
She froze.
Then turned.
And there he was.
Silas Kade.
He looked even more regal than before.Tailored charcoal suit, silver cufflinks bearing the Kade family crest, and the kind of gaze that made people confess things they'd never spoken aloud.
"Silas," she said coolly, arms folding.
"Still beautiful," he replied, a slow smirk curling at his lips. "And still pretending to hate compliments."
Elsa's jaw tightened. "I don't pretend. I've just grown tired of liars who use them like currency."
Silas stepped closer, each move deliberate.
"I heard about Elaris Luxe. Impressive. You've grown."
"And you haven't changed," she replied. "Still chasing rumors in tailored suits."
He chuckled. "Not rumors. Facts. I have investors who are nervous — Chess Golding, is it? The ghost husband?"
Elsa stiffened. Just like Kieran... Silas knew exactly where to jab.
But this wasn't Kieran's chaotic charm — Silas was clinical.
"Why are you really here?" she asked.
Silas gave a small, thoughtful smile.
"I'm here... because Nova Dominion is shifting.
And if there's a throne being vacated, I intend to sit on it."
Elsewhere, in a secured tech bunker beneath Nova Dominion...
Lance frowned at the incoming feed.
"Sir, you may want to see this."
Chess walked over. On-screen was a city surveillance cam capturing Silas and Elsa's encounter.
He watched in silence, expression unreadable.
"Should I tag Kade's communication channels?"
"No," Chess said coldly. "Not yet."
Lance nodded. "He's already scheduling meetings with Vin Aldreth's lawyers. Looks like he wants to play mediator — or kingmaker."
Chess's voice was a whisper of steel.
"Silas Kade doesn't mediate.
He conquers what others are still debating."
Back at the Jefferson Estate, Elsa poured herself a drink.
Vera stood nearby, unsure if she should speak.
"He said... if there's a throne being vacated, he intends to sit on it," Elsa murmured aloud.
"And what do you want to do?" Vera asked.
Elsa's grip tightened around the glass.
"I want to burn the throne.And build one no one can take from me."
Later that night, Silas sat in a sleek black car, phone to his ear.
"Your instincts were right," he said. "She's off-balance."
On the other end of the call, Vin Aldreth spoke calmly.
"Good. Keep applying pressure. Kieran's back in play too. If those two clash, it'll distract her long enough."
Silas looked out at the skyline.
"Let them clash.I'll be the one left standing."
But what Silas didn't know...
Somewhere deep in Nova Dominion, a terminal lit up.
Encrypted files opened one by one — contracts, transaction trails, secret accounts.
And at the center of them all...
Silas Kade's deepest secrets.
Chess stared at the screen.
"Time to add another piece to the board," he murmured.