Chapter 54:A FRAGILE ALLIANCE

I stared at Victoria across the dimly lit restaurant, my fingers wrapped tightly around the stem of my wine glass. Her offer hung in the air between us, suffocating in its complexity. Could I really trust her? Every instinct told me to be cautious, to tread lightly, but I had already walked into the lion's den, and there was no turning back now.

"Alright," I said slowly, the weight of my decision pressing down on me. "We’ll do this. But let’s be clear—this is a partnership. I’m not some pawn you can use and discard when it’s convenient for you."

Victoria’s lips curled into a thin smile, her sharp eyes gleaming with approval. "Of course, Emily. I wouldn’t dream of treating you as anything less than an equal in this endeavor." Her words dripped with practiced politeness, but I could see the calculated precision behind them. She was already planning her next move.

I leaned back in my seat, refusing to let her control the tempo of the conversation. "So, what’s our first step? Rachel’s bee