Chapter 2: Thorns and Leverage
The day after the chaos, the sun rose lazily over Brooklyn, golden light dripping down cracked sidewalks. But inside Lily & Thorn, the mood was anything but peaceful.
Elira stood at the sink, furiously pruning stems, each snip of her scissors louder than the last.
Cassia leaned against the doorframe, biting into a strawberry Pop-Tart. "You're going to murder that tulip."
"It's a metaphor," Elira muttered. "For what I want to do to Ares Valen's entire real estate empire."
"You mean the empire that's now trending online with you as his floral nemesis?"
"Not funny."
Cassia held up her phone. "According to this, you're now 'The Rose Witch of Brooklyn,' and someone just made fanart of you turning Ares into a bouquet."
Elira dropped her scissors. "People need hobbies."
Noah limped in from the backroom, forehead bandaged but his spirit still intact. "Guys… I think I'm going viral."
Cassia clapped. "You got chased by mafia-lookin' dudes. Instant street cred."
"I mean, yeah, but like… am I the sidekick in a rom-com now?"
"Absolutely," Cassia replied. "You're the adorable chaos gremlin who survives explosions."
Noah grinned proudly.
Elira shook her head. "None of this is helping me decide whether I should take Valen's deal."
Cassia stepped forward, growing serious. "Look. If he's really pausing the demolition plans, that's leverage. If you're inside, you can see what he's really up to."
"But he doesn't care about the garden. He cares about winning. And I'm not going to be his pawn."
Cassia opened her mouth to argue — but the shop door suddenly burst open.
A tall figure stepped in, dressed in a deep red coat and black heels. Her presence was sharp, icy, and elegant.
"Elira Song?" she asked coolly.
"Yes?"
"I'm Vivienne Raine. Ares Valen's executive advisor."
Cassia gasped. "The Ice Queen herself."
Vivienne arched a brow. "Charming."
Elira crossed her arms. "Did he send you to bully me into submission?"
"No. He sent me because unlike him, I understand the importance of charm."
Vivienne stepped forward and handed Elira a sleek black envelope. Inside was a contract, a copy of the blueprint — and an exclusive invitation:
> Valen Corp Annual Charity Gala
Location: The Crown Hall, Manhattan
Date: Saturday, 8PM
Dress Code: Formal
Theme: Winter in Bloom
Vivienne's voice softened, just a little. "This gala is more than a PR stunt. The board will be there. His competitors. His enemies. People who would love to hear your voice."
"You mean people who hate him."
"Same thing," she replied.
"And you're okay with that?"
Vivienne gave the slightest of smirks. "Let's just say… not everyone in Valen Corp worships the throne."
She turned to leave, but paused at the door. "One more thing. Wear red."
---
Later that Night – Elira's Apartment
Elira sat by her window, staring out at the Brooklyn skyline, the contract spread across her kitchen table. She couldn't sleep.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ping of her phone.
Unknown Number:
> The gala offer still stands. But the deadline moves when I do. Tick-tock.
– A.V.
She scowled.
"I hate him."
But her thumb hovered over the message.
Then—
Cassia barged in holding a dress bag. "I found the perfect gown. Red. Fierce. You'll look like war."
Elira blinked. "You're planning my outfit?!"
"You're going," Cassia declared. "We're dressing you like revenge. And you're going to walk into that ballroom like you own the damn place."
---
Meanwhile – Valen Corp Private Office, Manhattan
Ares stood at his office window, city lights stretching below him like a kingdom. Behind him, Vivienne returned.
"She's considering it," she said.
"She will come," Ares replied, without turning.
Vivienne hesitated. "And if she doesn't?"
He sm
iled darkly. "Then I'll make her world so loud, so impossible to ignore, that she'll have no choice but to enter mine."