Part 2: Dance of Deception

This chapter was incredibly fun to write because everything is finally coming to a head. Julian’s death threat shows how dangerous this world has become, while Alexander’s champagne switch reveals that the threats aren’t just targeting Julian anymore. The fake fight between Nick and Roni was supposed to be performance, but real emotions are bleeding through, which makes it so much more compelling. And that waltz between Isabella and Alexander? Pure s****l tension disguised as social dancing. But Julian’s announcement at the end changes everything. He’s just blown Isabella’s cover in the most public way possible, and now everyone knows she’s been lying about who she is. The question is: why did he do it, and what’s his endgame?