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Lorenzo’s expression twisted, the weight returning to his shoulders. His fingers curled tightly around the empty glass as he exhaled hard. “I don’t have the luxury to think about that right now. I have to take care of Esther. Until I find a good doctor and get Esther treated, I can’t think about myself.”

Michael frowned. “Still no trace of Astra?”

Lorenzo muttered, “Don’t even bring her up. The last time, that so-called genius nearly killed Esther. She’s not who people think she is. Just a damn fraud.”

Michael frowned, thinking for a second. “There’s a high-profile medical event tomorrow night. Some of the best doctors will be there. You might catch a lead on Astra.”

“Alright,” Lorenzo muttered, eyes dark.

***

“Oh myfuckingGod…”

Krystal sat up with a groan, her head pounding like a drum. She looked around the room in a daze, tangled in blankets, memories rushing back with a vengeance.

“What the hell did I do last night?” she whispered, dragging her hands down her face.

Then it hit her—the way she snapped at Lorenzo, her rant about Esther, the car ride, her voice cracking as she asked why he was bothering her if he didn’t love her.

Images slammed into her brain. Her yelling at Lorenzo, fighting over Esther, storming off like a damn fool, and then crying out in his car. ‘You’re worried about what Grandpa will think of me? Did you think about him when you were hooking up with Esther? Aren’t you the one in love with her? The one having an affair? Then why the hell are you here bothering about me?’

She let out a dramatic groan and collapsed forward on the bed, face buried in her hands. “What did youdo, Krystal?”

Just then, Darren stepped into the room holding a breakfast bag. “You’re up. Good. I brought breakfast.”

She lifted her head and barked at him. “Why the hell didn’t you stop me last night? You let me walk around like a total idiot! I humiliated myself!”

Darren set the breakfast bag on the bed and crossed his arms. “Don’t blame me. You were on your own trip. You drank way too much, almost knocked me out with a cocktail glass, and then stormed off for ‘fresh air.’ I followed you even though you told me to stay the hell away, so maybe saythank youI didn’t let you end up in a car sex with your ex.”

Krystal flopped back on the bed, groaning. “That bastard! Why is he haunting me even after the divorce? Everywhere I go, he shows up—like I owe him a million dollars or something.”

Darren sighed. “There’s a doctor’s gathering tonight. Exclusive one. You going? You haven’t attended in two years.”

“No,” she muttered instantly. “I don’t want to see anyone. You go if you want.”

He shrugged. “Fine. Kara’s going to be there though.”

Krystal sat straight up. “She’s back from overseas?”

“Yup,” he said, pulling out a breakfast sandwich from the bag and handing it to her.

She snatched it, taking a bite mid-step as she hopped off the bed. “Then I’m going. Pick out something to wear—we’re going tonight.”

Krystal took a big bite and stormed down the hall, sandwich still in hand. “Get your suit ready.”

Darren stared after her with a sigh. “She changes her mind faster than the weather.”

***

Three sharply dressed men entered the grand, chandelier-lit hall, the soft clink of polished shoes echoing across marble floors. Women paused in conversation as they passed, some pausing mid-conversation to steal a look—others whispering behind manicured hands.

Lorenzo, Michael, and Xander moved with quiet authority. The gathering was small—intimate by elite standards—with just under a hundred people, all handpicked from the top tiers ofthe medical world. Tailored suits and flowing gowns filled the lavishly lit room.

“Astra is confirmed to appear tonight,” Xander said, checking something on his phone.

Lorenzo gave a tight nod, sliding his hands into his pockets. His eyes were sharp, pissed off. “Keep a lookout for her. She’s not getting away this time.”

Just then, movement near the entrance caught his attention. His gaze landed on Krystal walking in—Darren by her side.