Lupine’s expression shifted from casual to deadly serious. She weighed the dart in her palm, examining its balance with clinical precision before her arm snapped forward in a blur of motion.

The dart whistled through the air, brushing past the delicate petals and shearing a small section away. It was a feat of incredible control—she had to navigate a labyrinth of branches and leaves to hit such a minute target.

"Is that all?"

Ben scoffed, picking up a dart and testing its tip against his thumb. He took a relaxed stance, aimed with the casual confidence of a veteran, and let it fly.

The dart zipped across the room, striking with enough force to knock a massive cluster of petals to the floor. The spectators erupted into cheers, Ben’s name echoing through the hall as the momentum shifted in favor of the Nacht family.

Zachary’s lips curled into a faint, predatory grin as he took a slow sip of his drink.

"Not bad," Charlotte commented, her voice flat and nonchalant. She turned her gaze toward him, her eyes flashing with a sudden, sharp intelligence. "However, Mr. Nacht, we haven't actually discussed the stakes of our little wager."

"Oh?" Zachary looked at her, his amusement deepening. "And what exactly would you like to bet, Ms. Lindberg?"

"If I win," Charlotte said, narrowing her eyes as a sly, dangerous smile played on her lips, "you will owe me a favor. A significant one."

"Done," Zachary answered without a moment’s hesitation.

"Aren't you even going to ask what that favor is?" she asked, arching a perfectly groomed brow.

"As long as it isn't illegal or immoral, I can do anything," Zachary replied with unshakable confidence. "Besides, I have no intention of losing."

"Is that so?" Charlotte scoffed. "Then I look forward to collecting my debt."

"And if you lose?" Zachary inched closer, the scent of his cologne and the chill of his drink invading her personal space. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass, his voice dropping to a low, gravelly hum. "What do I get?"

"Name your desire," Charlotte challenged boldly.

"I want you..." Zachary murmured, tilting his body toward her until he was mere inches away. His gaze burned with the hunger of a beast as he finished, "...to spend the night with me."

The room fell into a deafening silence.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Everyone knew Zachary Nacht was arrogant, but this was a level of audacity that bordered on the insane. To make such a scandalous, intimate demand of the second-largest shareholder of the Lindberg Corporation—a woman who was his equal in power and prestige—was nothing short of a declaration of war.

The Lindberg bodyguards were livid, their faces contorted with rage as they glared at Zachary. If looks could kill, he would have been six feet under before he could take another breath.

Conversely, Ben, Marino, and the Nacht security detail were grinning ear to ear. These Lindberg women had been pushing their buttons all night; it was about time their Master put them in their place. Good job, Mr. Nacht!

"Mr. Nacht truly is my idol," one businessman whispered to another, genuinely impressed. "I wouldn't even dare to dream it..."

"He’s either the bravest man alive or the most foolish," the other replied, before quickly clamping his mouth shut, realizing how offensive his words might be to the Lindbergs nearby.

The atmosphere was electric as the crowd pressed in to watch the showdown.

"Hah," Charlotte sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "So this is the legendary Zachary Nacht? A man who relies on such primitive stakes?"

"Why? Are you too chicken to gamble? Or is it that you’ve already accepted your defeat?" Zachary taunted, leaning back into his black leather chair with the easy grace of a king.

"I never admit defeat," Charlotte snapped, her pride flaring. "Fine. I accept your terms. But be warned—I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget once you've lost."

"I’m counting on it," Zachary said with a gleeful, mocking grin.

Charlotte’s face flushed with fury. She turned to Lupine, her voice trembling with cold command. "You must win this. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Ms. Lindberg," Lupine replied. She grabbed a fresh dart and physically shoved Ben aside. "Get out of my way!"

"Hey, watch it..." Ben growled, his knuckles cracking. If it weren't for the rules of the bet, he would have happily engaged her in a different kind of fight right there.

Lupine ignored him, narrowing her eyes as she focused all her energy on the target. Zip!

At that crucial moment, Morgan moved—intentionally or not—and the dart struck dead center. Petals exploded like a burst of confetti, raining down onto Morgan’s face and clothes.

Morgan blinked, then a slow, triumphant grin spread across her face as the room erupted once more.