From the glass walls of his penthouse office overlooking the city, Chaos watched the news ticker scroll across the giant screen opposite him. Her face filled the frame, poised, elegant, chin high in a sharp Saints suit.
"Kashi Saints Appointed Acting CEO of Saints Company."
The corners of his mouth curved into the faintest smirk.
"How fascinating," he murmured, swirling the amber in his glass. "The phoenix decided to crawl out of the ashes after all."
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving the image on the screen. The last time he'd seen her, she was dripping in champagne, her pride shattered at his ball. That night had been a spectacle, a delicious fall orchestrated by fate itself.
And yet... here she was, Not broken. Not gone. But back, stronger, sharper, hungrier.
Behind him, Xavier, ever the shadow at his side, cleared his throat. "The markets are reacting. Saints shares are up three percent. Investors are cautious, but her return has stirred interest."
Chaos chuckled softly, low and dangerous. "Of course it has. Nothing excites the wolves more than the scent of blood, whether it's a kill or a comeback."
He set his glass down, steepling his gloved fingers before him. "But she intrigues me more. A year ago she was a girl chasing a man who would never love her. Now? She stands at the head of a company, the world forced to look at her again. Forced to take her seriously."
His gaze hardened, his smirk fading into something darker. "The question is... will she fly, or will she burn herself alive trying?"
Xavier shifted uneasily. "Do you want us to move, sir? Saints is vulnerable. With enough pressure, we could push them to fold, or force her hand."
Chaos rose from his chair, walking slowly to the window, the city sprawling beneath him like a kingdom at his feet.
"No," he said finally, his voice soft but sharp as a blade. "Not yet. Let her dance.... Because when she falls this time..." His blue eyes gleamed under the city lights. "...it will be into my arms