**Chapter 2: The Gilded Cage**
**Onward Tower Penthouse — 7:00 AM**
The elevator doors slid open with a hushed *ding*, revealing a penthouse that looked like it had been carved from ice and gold. Tania's breath caught as she stepped onto the marble floor, her thrift-store heels sinking into a rug worth more than her father's life. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city below, Lucin's skyline a jagged crown under a leaden sky.
Clifford stood by the window, his back to her, a crystal tumbler of amber liquid in hand. "Your father's bail hearing is tomorrow," he said without turning. "The prosecutor is charging him with embezzlement. A *fraudulent* investment, they claim."
Tania's chest tightened. "He was set up. That investment firm—"
"—was a shell company tied to my biggest competitor," Clifford interrupted, finally facing her. His storm-gray eyes were bloodshot, his dimples absent in the harsh morning light. "**Marshall Crowe**. He's been trying to sabotage my mergers for years. Your father was collateral damage."
"Why?" Tania's voice cracked. "Why target *him*?"
Clifford's jaw flexed. "Because Crowe knows I've been buying shares in his tech empire. Your father's arrest is a warning." He limped closer, the faint hitch in his step a reminder of the bullet he'd taken in a boardroom ambush years ago. "Crowe wants me to back off. If I don't, your father rots in prison."
Tania's nails dug into her palms. "So what's your play?"
A ghost of a smirk. "We give Crowe a show. Starting tonight." He tossed her a velvet box. Inside lay a black gown, its neckline studded with rubies. "Wear this to the gala. Let the world believe we're in love. Crowe's ego won't let him stand by while I 'win' publicly."
**The Aurora Gala — 9:00 PM**
The ballroom was a kaleidoscope of diamonds and deceit. Tania clung to Clifford's arm, her borrowed gown weighing her down like armor. Cameras flashed, capturing her frozen smile.
"Relax," Clifford murmured, his hand warm on her lower back. "Crowe's here. He's watching."
"Where?"
"Third pillar. Red tie. Smug enough to choke on it."
Tania glanced over. Marshall Crowe—a silver-haired viper in a tailored suit—raised his champagne flute in mock toast.
Before she could react, a laugh cut through the crowd. Sharp. Familiar. *Cruel*.
Daniel.
He stood across the room, Eleanor Onward draped over his arm. Her ivory gown screamed old money; his smirk screamed betrayal.
Clifford's grip tightened. "Stay calm."
Too late. Tania wrenched free and stormed toward them.
"Tania," Daniel breathed, his eyes darting to Eleanor. "This isn't—"
She slapped him. The crack echoed.
Eleanor's laugh was glass shattering. "Oh, this is *delicious*. Did you really think he'd choose a bartender over *me*?"
Tania turned to leave, but Clifford blocked her path. "We're not done," he said coldly, nodding toward Crowe.
The crowd parted as Crowe approached. "Clifford! I see you've upgraded your… accessories." His gaze raked over Tania's ruby necklace. "A shame your taste in investments hasn't improved."
Clifford's smile was lethal. "Funny. I was about to say the same." He pulled Tania close, his lips brushing her ear. "Dance with me."
**The Devil's Waltz**
On the floor, Clifford's hand burned against her waist. "Crowe took the bait," he muttered. "He'll leak photos of us tonight. Use it to destabilize my board."
"And how does that help my father?"
"Because tomorrow, I'll announce our 'engagement'—and Crowe's crimes—live on *Business Today*." His dimples flickered. "But first, you need to sell this."
His mouth crashed onto hers.
The kiss was all heat and fury, a performance for the cameras. But when his tongue grazed hers, Tania's knees buckled. *This is a lie*, she told herself. *All of it*.
Until his thumb brushed her cheek, tender as a confession.
**End of Chapter 2**