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The tension in the Belvedere ballroom was so thick it could have been sliced with Roman Calder’s shattered crystal glass. / Chapter 10 / 10

Chapter 10 - A New HorizonSix months later.

The morning sun reflected brilliantly off the glass facade of the Ellis Maritime headquarters in Manhattan. Down on the docks, cranes moved with synchronized precision, unloading container ships that sailed under a flag of absolute legitimacy and transparent global trade.

Inside her corner office, Mara Ellis stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, a cup of hot coffee in her hand.

The door opened softly, and Ethan stepped in, walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his chin comfortably on her shoulder.

"Everything is set for the global logistics summit in Geneva," Ethan whispered, kissing her cheek. "You're the keynote speaker."

Mara smiled, looking out over the bustling harbor where ships sailed freely across the Atlantic.

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The heavy mahogany door of the dressing room seemed to close in on us, trapping the suffocating tension inside. Richard’s hands were shaking as he clutched the small, tarnished silver pendant. His knuckles were bone-white.

The heavy mahogany door of the dressing room seemed to close in on us, t...

The heavy silver fork slipped from my fingers, clattering sharply against the gold-rimmed porcelain of my dinner plate.

The heavy silver fork slipped from my fingers, clattering sharply agains...

The heavy mahogany door of the Fairmont Copley suite clicked shut with a muffled, expensive thud.

The heavy mahogany door of the Fairmont Copley suite clicked shut with a...

"Let's go," Mara said softly, setting her coffee cup down on the gleaming white desk.

She turned around, taking Ethan's hand, and together they walked out of the office—leaving the shadows of the past far behind, stepping boldly into a future they owned entirely.

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