My name would be completely cleared.

I walked out of the media booth and down the stairs to the mezzanine level.

The air outside the booth felt cool and clean.

Arthur Sterling was waiting for me at the bottom of the steps.

He held a glass of champagne in his hand.

“A masterclass in public relations,” Arthur said softly.

He offered me the glass.

“Thank you,” I said, taking a small sip.

“This is only the beginning, Kate,” Arthur said, his eyes gleaming with a dark ambition.

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“Tristan’s empire is gone,” Arthur said.

“But someone needs to run his shipping lines.”

I looked at him, my heart skipping a beat.

“You want me to help you?” I asked.

“I want you to rule Manhattan beside me,” Arthur said.

“The city is yours for the taking.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but a sudden sound stopped me.

A loud crash echoed from the main lobby downstairs.

The heavy double doors of the mezzanine burst open.

A man in a dark trench coat stood in the doorway, his hand reaching inside his jacket.