Jasmine's POV
The Grand Hall lights still burned behind my eyes.
Cameras flashed like lightning as Ares pulled me through the crowd, his arm firm around my shoulders. Reporters shouted my name… twisted questions, louder each second.
"Miss Duvall, was the donation an apology?"
"Did KnightCorp fund this to cover the breach?"
"Are you confirming the five-million-dollar pledge?"
I couldn't even breathe.
The noise blurred into one long hum of accusation.
"Move." Ares snapped, cutting through the chaos. His security team flanked us, forcing open a path toward the exit. I caught Zara's smirk over the heads of the crowd… polished, victorious, venom disguised as grace.
She had won this round, and she knew it.
Outside, the night air hit me like a slap. My lungs burned as I staggered away from the flashes still flickering behind us.
Ares stopped beside the black car waiting by the curb. "Get in."
