Chapter 140: Engagement Charade

My fingers trembled against the steering wheel as I approached the Warriors headquarters.

The imposing glass structure gleamed like a diamond in the night, its every window ablaze with celebration lights.

My stomach churned at the gaudy "Palmer-Drake Union" banner hanging above the entrance.

"You sure you're ready for this?" Isolde asked, her eyes reflecting concern in the dim car interior.

"No," I admitted, the corrupted marks burning beneath my sleeve. "But Alexander's keycard is our only shot at accessing that lab."

The valet opened my door, and I stepped out, straightening my black cocktail dress—the only formal attire I owned that would accommodate my cast.

Isolde followed, looking impossibly composed in her navy pantsuit, scanning the entrance with practiced FBI precision.

"Remember," she whispered as we approached the entrance, "we're not here for the engagement. We're here for the evidence."

The words stung despite their truth. Just seeing the announcement plastered across every sports channel had felt like a knife to my chest.

Victoria's perfectly timed "pregnancy" revelation while I was in the hospital had been masterful psychological warfare.

Now this engagement was the final blow.

We entered the grand ballroom, and I froze.

The Warriors' team colors of navy and gold intertwined with Palmer Enterprise silver throughout the space.

Massive floral arrangements shaped like footballs flanked a stage where Alexander Palmer stood, microphone in hand, looking every inch the aristocratic business titan.

Victoria stood beside him in a flowing silver gown that accentuated her supposedly pregnant belly, her face alight with triumph.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Alexander's voice resonated through the hall, "I'm delighted to welcome you to this momentous occasion joining two dynasties—"

His words faltered as his eyes locked with mine across the room. For a split second, his practiced smile slipped, revealing genuine surprise.

Victoria followed his gaze, her expression darkening when she spotted us. She whispered something to a security guard, who immediately began moving in our direction.

"Well, look who decided to crash the party," Victoria announced loudly, her voice carrying across the suddenly hushed room. "The unemployed lawyer and her FBI friend. How... desperate."

Heads turned. Whispers erupted. I felt heat rise to my cheeks but forced myself to stand tall despite the cast weighing down my arm.

"We're not here for your little performance, Victoria," Isolde replied coolly. "We have business with Alexander."

Victoria's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I'm sure you do. Unfortunately, this is a private celebration. Security will escort you out."

Two burly men in dark suits approached us. I glanced around the room, searching for Caspian but couldn't locate him anywhere.

"The Palmer family has always prided itself on hospitality," Alexander interrupted smoothly, stepping down from the stage. "Ms. Winters and her friend are welcome to stay. After all, Ms. Winters has... history with the Warriors organization."

The double meaning in his words wasn't lost on me, nor was the calculating gleam in his eyes. He hadn't expected me to show up tonight, especially not after my "accident."

Victoria's jaw tightened visibly, but she maintained her smile. "Of course, Uncle. How thoughtful." She turned back to the crowd. "Please enjoy the champagne. Our special announcement will commence shortly."

My marks burned with sudden, blinding pain.

I excused myself and ducked into a nearby hallway, needing a moment to breathe.

The pain was getting worse—the corruption spreading faster now.

I leaned against the wall, examining my wrist.

The once-vibrant gold was now almost entirely consumed by angry crimson tendrils.

"Sage Winters," a voice called out, making me quickly pull down my sleeve. "Dressed up so nicely to attend your ex's engagement party? That's dedication."

Kevin Moore approached, a champagne flute in hand and that familiar calculating look in his eyes. He worked at Le Blanc and had recently started at the Warriors training facility—I'd never trusted him.

"Mr. Drake was my client, nothing more," I replied coldly, noticing how his eyes kept drifting to the folder I clutched tightly against my cast.

"That's not what the CASAGE fan clubs believe." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Victoria was quite specific about keeping you away tonight. Yet here you are, with documentation. Interesting timing."

I took a step back, immediately wary. "If you'll excuse me."

"What's in the folder, Sage?" Kevin's voice dropped lower. "Something that might interest Palmer Enterprises?"

Before I could respond, a new voice cut through the tension.

"She said excuse her." Caspian stood at the end of the hallway, his expression unreadable. He wore a black tuxedo that highlighted the pallor of his skin and the shadows beneath his eyes.

Kevin immediately backed away. "Just making conversation, Captain. Victoria was looking for you for the announcement."

"Tell her I'll be there shortly," Caspian replied, not taking his eyes off me.

When Kevin disappeared around the corner, Caspian approached slowly, as if afraid I might bolt. His gaze dropped to my cast, concern flashing across his face.

"Your arm... Victoria did this to you, didn't she?"

"Does it matter?" I asked, hating how my voice betrayed my emotions. "You're about to make your engagement official."

"Sage..." His voice fractured on my name. "None of this is what you think."

The corrupted marks on my wrist flared with pain, making me wince.

I noticed him flinch simultaneously, his hand instinctively moving to his own wrist.

"They're getting worse, aren't they?" he asked quietly, nodding toward my sleeve. "Mine too. The corruption's spreading faster now."

As if in response, the marks pulsed with warmth instead of pain when he stepped closer—our first moment of proximity since my "accident." The golden remnants seemed to glow brighter, fighting against the crimson corruption.

"Why are you doing this?" I whispered. "Why the engagement? Why the baby charade?"

"To protect you," he answered, his eyes intense with an emotion I couldn't name. "They said if I didn't cooperate, they'd make sure you never woke up from that hospital bed."

The loudspeakers crackled to life. "Ladies and gentlemen, please join us in the main ballroom for the special announcement from Victoria Palmer and Caspian Drake!"

"Don't do this," I found myself saying. "Whatever they're threatening you with—"

"It's not that simple." He glanced over his shoulder, tension evident in every line of his body. "How did you get in here tonight?"

"Alexander Palmer gave me access," I admitted. "He wants to take down your future father-in-law and needs my help."

Caspian's expression darkened. "Don't trust him, Sage. He's more dangerous than Victoria and Jeffrey combined."

"Mr. Drake!" Victoria's voice rang out from the end of the hallway. "Our guests are waiting."

The moment shattered.

Caspian stepped back, his face slipping into a mask of professional indifference.

"I have to go," he said, voice barely audible.

As he walked away, I felt a physical ache where our connection had momentarily strengthened.

I hurried back to the entrance where Isolde waited, her expression grim.

"We need to move now," she whispered. "Victoria's security is watching us too closely. They know something's up."

I nodded, following her outside to our waiting car.

"Did you learn anything?" she asked once we were safely inside.

"Just that Caspian's being coerced," I replied, pulling Alexander's keycard from my purse. "And that we need to get to that laboratory and find the termination codes before ceremony permanently severs our connection."

As we pulled away from the curb, I glanced back at the Warriors headquarters.

Through the glass doors, I could see Caspian watching me leave, his expression a mixture of desperation and silent pleading.

The corrupted marks on my wrist pulsed once more, a fading echo of the connection we were racing to save.