Chapter 1

Prologue

I spent three years working as a VIP relations manager at The Summit Club. And for those same three years, I was Julian Sterling’s woman.

Nobody knew the real reason I got close to him was to investigate the massive multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme tied to Apex Capital.

Until tonight—when he wrapped his arm around another woman, looked right at the crowd, and sneered that someone like me could be tossed aside with a few crumpled bills.

I didn't expose his games. I just kept playing the obedient, devoted girl he thought I was.

Right up until the day he burned his entire empire to the ground just to protect Chloe Davis.

That was the moment I realized he actually had a heart. He was capable of love. Just never for me.

Whether those three years meant anything to him doesn’t matter anymore.

Julian had no idea that my reason for staying was never about love either.

And the breakthrough I'd been bleeding for over the past three years had finally arrived.

Avery's POV

For three long years, I worked the floor at The Summit Club as a high-end concierge manager. No one had a clue I was actually an undercover agent with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Task Force.

Getting close to Julian Sterling was my only ticket into Marcus Hayes' inner circle. The Sterling family was tied directly to the heart of Apex Capital.

Three years in, the investigation had hit a dead end because we couldn't secure the critical smoking gun.

Until tonight. When I heard him shred every piece of my dignity in front of a room full of people.

Inside the VIP lounge on the penthouse floor of The Summit Club, the crystal chandeliers cast a blinding glare.

Julian had his arm draped casually around Chloe Davis's slender waist, parading her before everyone at the table.

"Everyone, meet Chloe. My girlfriend."

Someone in the crowd chuckled mockingly. "Damn, Julian. What happened to that gorgeous club manager of yours? Tossed her out already?"

Julian swirled the amber liquid in his glass, letting out a dismissive laugh.

"A girl from a private club? You actually took that seriously?" He took a slow sip, his tone dripping with condescension. "Who even knows how clean someone from this background is? She was just a fun distraction."

A wave of cruel laughter rippled across the room.

Chloe nestled against his shoulder, smiling like a pampered princess.

Julian set his glass down on the marble table and added lazily, "Besides, women like her pack their bags the second you throw some cash at them. She doesn't hold a candle to Chloe."

Every word felt like a poisoned needle, slipping through the crack of the private suite door and piercing straight into my chest.

My coworker, Mia, crept up behind me, whispering anxiously, "Avery... the things he’s saying in there... do you need to take a break?"

My pen didn't falter as I checked off names on the exclusive VIP guest ledger.

"I'm fine."

I shut the folder, murmured that I needed to powder my nose, and slipped into the emergency exit stairwell.

The concrete staircase was deathly quiet, bathed in the faint green glow of the emergency lights.

Pulling out my phone, I dialed Agent Miller.

"Miller, it's me."

His voice on the other end was deep and stern. "I heard. Julian brought a girl to the club and made a scene degrading you in public. Pull out now. Your cover is slipping, and the risk is too high."

"I’m not pulling out," I said, leaning against the cold wall. "He's completely blinded by this new obsession. That means his guard around me is down. Miller, Apex Capital’s annual investor gala is happening at the end of this month. Julian will be there, and this is the closest shot I'll ever get to Marcus Hayes."

Miller stayed silent for a few heavy seconds. "Are you sure about this, Avery?"

"Dead sure."

I hung up, lingered in the shadows for a moment to wipe every trace of emotion off my face, and pushed the door open to walk back to the front desk.

Just then, the elevator doors slid open.

Julian stepped out, escorting Chloe. She tottered on sky-high stilettos, swaying with every step, and Julian gently caught her waist, his patience practically dripping off him. It was like looking at a completely different man.

"This lounge is way too cramped," Chloe whined, scrunching her nose. "I hate it."

"Then we’ll switch," Julian said instantly, snapping his fingers at a passing server. "Open up the Presidential Suite. Do it right now."

The server scurried off to make the arrangements.

Standing behind the polished marble desk, my fingers tightened around my pen until my knuckles turned white.

Three years ago, when Julian was pursuing me, he showed me that exact same gentleness.

Back then, he showed up every single night, demanded only my service, sent bouquets of roses that clogged the lobby, and stood waiting outside in the pouring rain.

I thought it was genuine. Only later did I learn that our beginning was never about real emotion.

I needed an entry point into Marcus Hayes' network, and Julian Sterling was the sharpest blade available.

Three years. The blade was still in my hands, but the case hadn't cracked open.

Julian caught my eye from across the hallway and waved me over.

"Avery. Over here."

I set my pen down and walked over smoothly.

"Chloe’s getting an exclusive membership here," Julian ordered, his tone flat, as if speaking to a stranger. "You'll handle her private reservations personally. Issue her our highest-tier Black Card. I want you attending to her the entire night. Don't mess this up."

Chloe eyed me from head to toe, a smug little smirk touching her lips.

I looked directly at Julian. There wasn't a single flicker of warmth in his cold gaze. To him, our three years together really was nothing more than a VIP client tipping a club worker.

I lowered my head respectfully.

"Understood, Mr. Sterling."