Later on, Claire sat on the edge of the luxurious leather couch. Her head was spinning.
She was done with this feeling of powerlessness. She couldn't take another minute of watching Elena and Lucas be the perfect couple. It was as if she was invincible.
But tonight was different. Tonight, she had something on her side.
The ring.
She had been resisting it, fighting against the urge to use it, but now, in the chaos of the penthouse, surrounded by laughter and clinking glasses, she needed it.
She needed an upper hand, even if it meant doing something she knew wasn't right.
Claire glanced over at Elena. The woman looked flawless, standing across the room, glowing in her confidence, effortlessly talking to the Deira family reps.
Claire took a deep breath and pushed through the crowd. She reached her, standing next to her, but not too close.
"Elena," Claire said, trying to sound casual, but there was a sharpness to her voice that she couldn't hide.
