Chapter 12 - The Shadow in the Gala
The grand opening of the Mercer-Callaway Foundation was the event of the season. The glittering glass facade of the community center stood proud against the city skyline, a stark contrast to the toxic wasteland it had once been. Media cameras flashed, and the city's elite mingled with the local families who now had a safe haven for their children.
Isla stood by Roman’s side, wearing a stunning emerald gown. She looked every bit the matriarch of the Callaway empire, yet her warmth remained unchanged. Roman’s hand rested protectively at the small of her back.
"You did this," Isla whispered, looking at the children running around the new indoor basketball court.
"We did this," Roman corrected, kissing her temple.
The celebration was cut short when Marcus, Roman’s trusted head of security, approached with a tense expression. He leaned in, whispering so only Roman could hear. "Sir, we have a problem. An uninvited guest just arrived. He’s bypasses security using an old executive clearance code."
Roman’s eyes narrowed, his relaxed demeanor instantly vanishing into the cold, calculating billionaire he used to be. "Who?"
"Julian Voss," Marcus replied. "Carl Voss’s estranged older brother. He just flew in from Zurich."
Before Roman could react, a man in a impeccably tailored gray suit stepped out of the crowd. Julian Voss looked like Carl, but colder, sharper, and far more dangerous. He held a glass of champagne, raising it toward Roman.
May you like
"Roman Callaway," Julian said, his voice smooth like silk but laced with venom. "Building playgrounds on the graves of your enemies? How poetic. But you forgot one thing—Carl might have been a fool, but the Voss family assets don't just disappear. And I’m here to collect what’s mine."
The war wasn't over. It was just beginning.
