Raelyn wasn’t exactly in a good mood. “You’re about to marry into the Storme Pack,” she said coldly, “and you still have time to call me?” I grinned slyly. “Oh, I’m not just calling to catch up. I’m calling because of Eclipse Corporation. You guys are the ones behind the smear campaign, aren’t you?” There was a slight tremble in Raelyn’s voice. “What are you talking about? That’s ridiculous.” “You know better than I do whether it’s true. I don’t care how you framed Eclipse or stirred things up behind the scenes. From now on, I want all negative press about Eclipse gone.” Raelyn burst out laughing. “Who do you think you are, Raelyn? You think you can order me around?” I smiled. “Let’s just say… I have evidence of Lawson Corp’s tax evasion.” There was a pause. I didn’t need to see her face to know she’d gone pale. “Why should I believe you?” “If you don’t, I can start reading it to you right now.” And I did. I pulled up the financial records—the end-of-year reports, hidden transactions—and read the numbers out loud. I hadn’t even realized until I read them just how massive the tax evasion really was. “Okay, okay! Stop!” she begged. “So… do my words carry weight now?” I asked. “Yes, yes! I’ll get those Eclipse articles removed immediately! Just… don’t let anyone else find out about this!” I smiled. “Deal.” Sure enough, Lawson Corp acted fast. I had barely sat down to catch my breath when the PR spin began rolling out online. Eclipse Corporation’s name was cleared. Aiden… now you don’t owe me anything. And I don’t owe you either. Jace’s POV:It had been a while since I last saw Aiden. I finally had some free time, so I dropped by his office, only to find him standing at the window, lost in thought. “What’s on your mind?” I asked as I walked up. He blinked and looked at me, a weary smile tugging at his lips. “Nothing.” “Whoa, the almighty CEO is smiling at me? I’m honored.” I grinned. “I saw Eclipse pulled through the crisis,” I added. “Turns out you had some tricks up your sleeve. That move against Lawson Corp was brutal. The entire internet’s praising Eclipse now. Even Ms. Raelyn stepped in to speak for you.” Aiden’s brows furrowed. “What did you say?” “You haven’t seen the news?” I raised an eyebrow. Apparently not. I’d heard everything—Eclipse’s stock crash, the breakup with Raelyn, her upcoming engagement to Randall. It had all hit Aiden hard. He was stunned, clearly realizing for the first time what had happened. “Wait… it wasn’t you?” I asked, surprised. “Then who helped Eclipse recover?” Aiden lifted his gaze to meet mine. I understood instantly. “Raelyn?” He didn’t respond. “She really loved you, man. And you let her go. You seriously don’t regret it?” Aiden stayed quiet, but pain flickered in his eyes. Trying to cheer him up, I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Screw it. Want to crash the wedding?” “Get out,” he muttered. I chuckled. “Kidding, kidding. If anyone’s gonna crash the wedding, it should be you.” “Why would I?” he asked, voice low. I wanted to smack him upside the head. “You clearly still love her. I don’t know why you ended up with Geraldine, but anyone can see you’re not into her.” “…Is it that obvious?” he murmured, touching his face. I nodded, but then he hit me with something that made me freeze. “My mother was kidnapped by the Imperial Pack’s Alpha. He made Raelyn break up with me and go home to get engaged.” My eyes widened. “What?! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” “It wouldn’t have changed anything.” “Okay, maybe not me. But Raelyn—why didn’t you tell her? You really think she wouldn’t understand?” Aiden exhaled slowly, his eyes dark. “If my family can be used against me once, they can be used again. That kind of love… would just bring her pain.” Then he added with a faint smile, “Randall’s not a bad choice either.” I nearly punched him. “You’re Aiden—the Eclipse Pack’s heir. If you won’t even fight for the one you love, then what’s the point of any of this?” Aiden stared at me, speechless. “Look,” I continued. “If there’s something you need to say—say it. Once it’s too late, there’s no going back. Raelyn’s not just some girl. She’s strong. She could’ve handled it with you.” Aiden went quiet, but his eyes lit up with something I hadn’t seen in a long time—purpose. I pressed him. “And come on, do you really know who Randall is? What if he ends up hurting her? What if she gets stuck in some fake fairy tale and you’re not there to stop it?” “I got it,” he said suddenly. I blinked. “Got what?” “I’m going to crash the wedding.” I nearly choked on my own spit. “Wait, hold on—what?” “I’m serious.” Aiden’s expression was calm, but there was fire in his eyes. He turned to his desk and waved me off. “If you’re done, you can leave.”As I walked out, I couldn’t help but feel a little stunned. Was this serious? Was the next headline going to be: Eclipse Pack Heir Storms Capital City to Crash Imperial Pack Wedding?