Chapter 10 – Dinner with the Enemy

Lyra stood in front of Vaughn Tower, her fingers curling into fists at her sides.

The skyscraper loomed above her, a cold, glass fortress that mirrored the man who owned it—Ethan Vaughn.

She exhaled slowly. This wasn’t a choice.

It was a trap.

And she was walking straight into it.

The moment Lyra stepped inside, a team of suited security guards flanked her.

She raised an eyebrow. "Rolling out the red carpet for me, Vaughn?"

One of the guards merely motioned toward the private elevator.

She sighed but didn’t resist.

The elevator doors slid shut, sealing her inside as the numbers climbed higher—

Until they finally stopped at the top floor.

As they opened, she was greeted by a view of the city skyline—and the man sitting at the head of an elegant dining table.

Ethan Vaughn.

He looked completely at ease, his black shirt slightly unbuttoned, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

The perfect image of power and control.

He didn’t look up immediately, taking his time as he sipped his drink.

Then, finally, his dark eyes met hers.

And he smirked.

"You’re late, Miss Xian."

Lyra ignored his smirk and walked forward, seating herself without waiting for permission.

"Traffic," she said flatly.

Ethan chuckled, setting his glass down. "Lying already? You live less than twenty minutes away."

She met his gaze evenly. "And yet, here I am."

A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes. "Yes. Here you are."

The tension between them thickened.

Lyra didn’t touch the food.

Neither did Ethan.

For a moment, it was just silence.

Then, he finally spoke.

"Who are you, really?"

The question was soft. Too soft.

Like a blade hidden beneath silk.

Lyra’s fingers twitched beneath the table. "I think you already know the answer to that."

Ethan tilted his head slightly. "Do I?"

His voice was calm, amused—yet dangerously sharp.

"You’re not an ordinary scholarship student," he continued. "You’re not just some girl who got lucky enough to land a place at Regis Academy."

He leaned forward slightly, eyes locked onto hers.

"And you sure as hell aren’t someone who belongs in my world."

Lyra held her ground. "Then why invite me here?"

His lips curled. "Because I like breaking things apart to see what’s inside."

A challenge.

A warning.

She exhaled slowly.

"So, what now?" she asked, tilting her head. "Are you going to interrogate me all night?"

Ethan studied her for a long moment before finally smiling.

"No," he murmured. "That would be too easy."

He sat back, tapping his fingers lightly against his glass.

"Instead, I’m going to give you a choice."

Lyra’s stomach clenched.

This was it.

His move.

"Join me," Ethan said, voice dangerously smooth. "Work for me."

Lyra stared at him.

He wasn’t joking.

Ethan Vaughn—her enemy, the man trying to unravel her secrets—was offering her a place at his side.

Why?

She folded her arms. "And if I refuse?"

His smirk widened.

"Then," he said softly, "I’ll have to find out who you really are—by other means."

A chill ran down her spine.

This wasn’t an offer.

It was an ultimatum.

Join him… or be exposed.

She forced a smirk of her own. "Tempting."

Ethan chuckled. "Isn’t it?"

The tension between them stretched dangerously thin.

Lyra knew one thing for sure—

She had just stepped into the most dangerous game of her life.

And she had no idea how it would end.

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End of Chapter 10

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