Beneath the Gilded Veil

eedom tasted even colder than he had imagined. Breathing out in little puffs, he saw the city towering before him, a confusing

nsettling apathy. Archer shrugged, his limbs still stiff from being confined to a jail. The exertion of holding himself together for so

Sebastian Morland's betrayal had destroyed his life. That same Sebastian, who'd been his closest confidant, business

or company. Even just hearing her name made him uncomfortable, but he buried it behi

ghts of oncoming cars. Sebastian prospered somewhere, leading th

e, betrayal, and helplessness. However, that period was ended. He was freed from the pri

was rightfully his had not changed, despite the changes in the ci

tions seemed to have lost all of their dirt. The eateries he used to visit were now decked out in sparkling lights, ready to greet the affl

ngers quivered by his sides as he recalled completing transactions and signing contracts, experiencing the

er resonating in those opulent penthouses. He recalled the aroma of her perfume and the coziness of h

stian's scheme? Did she truly love him,

ieving. And he'd lost everything because of that trust. However, it is no longer the case. Th

sed his gaze. He could see the top floor's lights flickering from this distance. his former workplace.

long,

le more than a location to reorganize, strategize, and plot. After removing his coat and throwing it

exquisite and crisp, bearing the distinctive stamp of the world's elite that Archer had p

velope and removed the e

Morland Charity Gala, hosted by Sebas

nued to read. The gala served as more than simply a fundraiser; it was a platform for Sebastian to dem

cher was defeated and shattered. But this offer was more of a challenge than a t

st the start of Archer's comeback. He would go, but he would not b

m as night fell. It was peaceful inside, but the city outside was tee

escape the gala, and put the past behind him. He had enoug

He was eager to watch Sebastian's reaction when he showed up at the event and experience his

resence, or had she moved on so quickly? That part of him that yearne

, the only supporter who remained by his side during the trial. She was well aware of all the d

ightforward: **"Asse

et and resumed staring at the screen. He was not

the city, was everything Archer had remembered. Other than the fact that

his eyes peeled for his target. The laughing reverberated and

orland** stood, endearing, self-assured, and unaware. A

ter resounded like a bell, and her beauty remained unaltered. However, despite its beauty,

ed in his chest. It felt as though time had stopped fo

nstant. The harm was done ev

itive of was that everyt