Valerius. The name echoed in Anya's mind, a chilling whisper she couldn't shake. Sleep had been a fractured thing, riddled with the phantom scent of old canvas and the cold glint of betrayal in Alistair's eyes. She dressed in the muted silence of her room, the opulent surroundings feeling more like a cage than a sanctuary. Every hum of the building, every distant city sound, seemed amplified. Breakfast was a quiet affair. Alistair sat opposite her at the vast dining table, his attention already consumed by a sleek, transparent tablet. His jaw was set, a familiar line of intense focus etched between his brows. Morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Anya picked at her toast, her gaze darting to Alistair's profile. He was a man of controlled power, but yesterday's phone call had revealed a raw, volatile core. Alistair’s fingers paused mid-swipe. His posture stiffened, almost imperceptibly. A muscle twitched near his temple. Clearing his throat, he tapped the screen sharply. His eyes narrowed, pupils dilating as he absorbed the information. The air around him grew heavy, charged with unspoken tension. Watching him, Anya felt a prickle of unease. Whatever he was reading, it wasn't good news. His controlled fury was a force she was beginning to recognize, a dangerous undercurrent to his polished exterior. Finally, Alistair tossed the tablet onto the table with a soft thud. The sound was barely audible, yet it resonated like a clap of thunder in the quiet room. He pushed back from the table, rising to his full, imposing height. “Julian Thorne,” he said, his voice low and tight, devoid of its usual cultured cadence. “That opportunistic bastard.” Anya's breath hitched. Julian Thorne. The name was synonymous with ruthless acquisition in the art world. A collector known for his predatory tactics, his vast wealth, and an insatiable desire for the rarest pieces. Curiosity, overriding her caution, compelled her to glance at the tablet. A prominent online art news portal displayed a headline in bold, aggressive font:

Chapter 13: A Rival's Shadow