I raised an eyebrow and confronted him indifferently, "How can I help you, Mr. Horton?" "Don't be so cold," came his smooth reply, laced with amusement, "You can call me Connor." That mocking, honeyed voice sent a chill down my spine. I had absolutely no desire to get entangled with this twisted, volatile illegitimate heir of the Rampage Pack any further. "I'm sure you didn't call just to exchange pleasantries, Mr. Horton." I had no patience for games, so I cut to the chase. "Someone as stunning as you, Ms. Sinclair ... how could I not think of you every now and then?" He chuckled, his timbre velvet and flirtatious. Even over the phone, I could imagine his smirking face and those dark, unsettling eyes watching like a predator in the shadows. My brows knitted together. I was about to hang up when he seemed to sense it and quickly changed course, "I heard one of the artists under your wing is about to collaborate with Mr. Pearson." The pen in my hand paused for a second. "Your sources are impressively swift, Mr. Horton." Now that Connor brought this up, I had a few guesses in mind. His sudden foray into the entertainment industry through Haroldene Entertainment wasn't just a whim. He was targeting my company, Starplay. "Mr. Pearson is quite the heavyweight director. With his support, your artist's career will surely skyrocket. Consider this my early congratulations, Ms. Sinclair." My voice turned icy as I replied, "If you're trying to start a business war, Mr. Horton, I'm always ready. Just spare me the cheap tricks. Some methods are downright repulsive." It all clicked now. He was probably the mastermind behind the PR disaster that recently hit Naomi's press conference. After we had clashed over that piece of land, he'd gone quiet. I had nearly forgotten about him. Everyone in the industry knew Naomi was our flagship talent. If something happened to her, the Starplay brand would take a direct and critical hit. "Now that's just hurtful, Ms. Sinclair," he replied, feigning injury. "I'd never think of competing with you. But hey, business is business. A little friction is inevitable when we're in the same game, I'm sure you'd agree with that." "Aside from this so-called ‘friction', what else are you planning?" I pressed further.I've always had a straightforward character, and never a fan of these back-and-forth charades. He chuckled. "Life needs a few surprises now and then to keep things interesting, right, Ms. Sinclair?" My patience ran out. "Whatever it is you're planning, go ahead. I'll be watching." Without waiting for a response, I hung up. My assistant, who was quietly observing at the side, finally spoke up, "Ms. Sinclair ... are you alright?" "He's right about one thing ... life does need a few surprises." I gave a faint smile. Looks like the coming days will be a lot more entertaining than I'd expected. But knowing Connor, he wasn't the type to stop at just one scandal with Naomi. Maybe I've overlooked something, or he was far more cunning than I'd given him credit for. "Look into Connor Horton for me. I want to know exactly what he's been up to lately," I instructed my assistant crisply. Jessica's POV: The moment Rosaline hung up on him, Connor clicked his tongue and let his whole body sink lazily into the sofa. "So there really are people who commit the crime and then hand over the whole confession themselves, huh?" I snarked as I sat across from him, legs elegantly crossed. If it weren't absolutely necessary, I would never work with someone like him. This mad, bastard child of the Rampage Pack. Unhinged, unpolished, and utterly unsuited for the public stage. "Ms. Sullivan, haven't you heard? The best hunters are the ones who can play the prey convincingly. That's what makes the game interesting. Let them think they're in control, when in reality they're just pathetic pawns dancing on someone else's strings. Isn't that right?" Connor drawled, the edge of a twisted smile tugging at his lips, his murky eyes locked onto mine. A cold shiver crawled up my spine. I shot to my feet instantly. "I've delivered Jack's message. Whether you choose to listen is up to you. But let me warn you, Rosaline and Caden are not to be trifled with. You'd better tread carefully." I turned on my heel, not wanting to spend another second in his presence."Oh? That sounds awfully affectionate. Anyone who didn't know better might think you're about to become Luna of the Storm Pack. But Jessica," his cadence slowed, dripping with malice, "don't forget who you are." The words bit into me like ice, but I didn't stop walking. I just clenched my fists, and left.