Maya's POV
"Three designers are dead because of Vanessa."
Marcus's note burns in my hands as I stand in the dark parking lot. I immediately call Ethan.
"Three people died?" Ethan's voice is sharp. "Names. I need names."
"Marcus didn't say. Just that they 'crossed' Vanessa and ended up dead." I get into my car, checking the back seat first like Ethan taught me. Empty. "This can't be real. Vanessa is cruel, but murder?"
"Murder runs in her family. Patricia helped kill your mother. Why wouldn't Vanessa kill too?" Ethan's keyboard clicks in the background. "I'm searching for any deaths connected to Chen Fashion House in the past few years."
I drive home with guards following behind me. The city looks different now. Dangerous. Every shadow could hide a threat.
By the time I reach the penthouse, Ethan has answers.
