Ethan Roscente stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his fingers nervously tracing the cuff of his suit. At the sound of approaching footsteps, he whirled around, a sycophantic smile plastered across his face.

"Mr. Roscente, forgive the intrusion." He hurried forward, bowing so low his spine creaked. "The receptionist said you were in a meeting, so I took the liberty—"

Ethan strode past him without acknowledgment, the black trench coat billowing like a storm cloud. He loosened his tie and sank into the leather sofa, long fingers drumming the armrest.

"Three minutes."

Sweat beaded on the man's forehead. He fumbled for a handkerchief. "It's about my worthless younger brother—"

"Name." Ethan's voice was a poisoned arrow.

"Henry Wen." The man's Adam's apple bobbed. "Last week... with Miss Jenna..."

The crystal tumbler shattered in Ethan's grip. Blood and burgundy dripped onto the Persian rug, but he didn't flinch.

"So it was him." A humorless smile touched Ethan's lips, his eyes glacial. "How do you plan to bury the body?"

The man's knees buckled. "Mr. Roscente, I swear! That bastard didn't know Miss Roland was under your protection!" His voice cracked. "Punish him however you see fit—"

Ethan lit a cigar, smoke curling around his razor-sharp jawline. "Compensation?" He exhaled a perfect ring. "What's your brother's life worth?"

"F-five—no, eighty million!" The man corrected hastily. "Henry owns a waterfront villa in Malibu—"

"Quite the philanthropist, Deputy Mayor." Ethan leaned forward suddenly, the cigar's ember grazing the man's nose. "The disciplinary committee would love to hear about this."

The color drained from the man's face. "It's clean money! My mother's inheritance—"

Ethan stubbed out the cigar in a crystal ashtray. "Have that trash crawl on his knees to apologize." He adjusted his cufflinks. "One missing kowtow, one less finger."

"Yes, yes! I'll drag him there myself—"

"Wait." Ethan stood silhouetted against the window, one hand in his pocket. "Who put him up to it?"

The man froze. His mouth opened and closed before he slumped in defeat. "I truly don't know..."

The temperature in the office plummeted. Ethan pressed the intercom. "Escort him out."

When the mahogany door thudded shut, he yanked his tie loose. Fury churned in his darkened gaze. On the security monitor, the man stumbled into the elevator like a broken marionette.