Chapter 51

• The following day, I accompany Alex to the groundbreaking ceremony for the new hotel, my stomach churning with a mix of anticipation and dread. His mother insisted that my presence would be good for the press, but I can't shake the feeling that something is bound to go wrong.
• As we arrive at the site, I plaster a smile on my face, determined to play my part. Alex and Collins pose for the cameras, cutting the ribbon, holding shovels, and digging into the earth together. To the untrained eye, they look like the perfect business partners, but I can sense the tension simmering beneath the surface.
• Collins takes the microphone, his voice smooth and confident as he expresses his enthusiasm for their continued partnership. I try to focus on his words, but my mind is reeling, wondering when the other shoe will drop.