The restaurant's top floor had been cleared just for them. A velvet curtain marked the entrance to the private VIP section, guarded discreetly by Valerius's people. Soft lighting, bottles of vintage wine, and the low hum of a live jazz band downstairs made it feel like another world, far removed from the chaos of the courthouse and the whirlwind of press outside.

Valerius had spared no expense. The long table gleamed with crystal glasses, silver cutlery, and dishes designed for a feast. But as ...