Chapter 31: Shadows in the Elite

The night air was thick with tension as Chris remained parked near the restaurant, his mind working through every possible scenario. Zayne Lancaster wasn't just some rich guy chasing after Skylar—Chris could feel it in his gut. There was more to him, and if experience had taught him anything, it was that instincts were rarely wrong.

Ethan's voice crackled through the speaker.

"I'm digging," he said, typing away in the background. "But Zayne isn't sloppy. The guy knows how to keep his public image squeaky clean."

Chris smirked. "No one's untouchable."

"Agreed. But this one's going to take time." Ethan paused. "He's got old money, deep family connections, and access to circles even I don't have immediate reach into."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "That a challenge?"

Ethan chuckled. "I'm already working on it."

Chris tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, his patience wearing thin. "Start with his business dealings. His network. Who he associates with."

"I'm ahead of you," Ethan replied. "So far, his investments are clean—real estate, luxury brands, some tech ventures. But what's interesting isn't what's on the surface. It's what isn't."

Chris narrowed his eyes. "Explain."

Ethan clicked his tongue. "For someone with that much influence, there's barely any controversy. No scandals. No financial slip-ups. It's like his life was curated to be untouchable."

Chris frowned. "That's impossible."

"Exactly," Ethan said. "Which means someone's cleaning up after him. Someone powerful."

Chris's grip on his phone tightened. He didn't like unknown variables. Zayne had already inserted himself into Skylar's life, and that was enough of a problem. But if there were forces behind him that even Ethan had trouble tracing?

That meant trouble.

Serious trouble.

"Keep digging," Chris ordered. "Find the cracks."

Ethan exhaled. "You got it. But if this goes deep, we need to be careful. A guy like Zayne doesn't climb this high without stepping on people. And if we step on the wrong toes…"

Chris's expression darkened. "Then I'll step harder."

Ethan chuckled. "I never doubted that."

As the call ended, Chris's gaze flickered back to the restaurant entrance just in time to see Skylar walking out. Zayne followed a few steps behind her, looking relaxed—too relaxed.

Chris clenched his jaw as he watched Skylar say something to Zayne, forcing a polite smile before walking toward where her car was parked.

Zayne, however, wasn't finished.

He stepped closer to her, his hand grazing her arm as he leaned in, whispering something in her ear.

Skylar stiffened.

Chris had seen enough.

He started his car and pulled up beside her just as she turned, surprise flashing across her face.

"Get in," he said smoothly, his voice controlled but firm.

Skylar hesitated only for a moment before stepping into the passenger seat. As she buckled her seatbelt, Chris's eyes locked onto Zayne through the windshield.

Zayne met his gaze. And smirked.

Chris didn't react, but inside, a storm was brewing.

This wasn't just some guy interested in Skylar.

This was a move. A play.

And Chris had no intention of losing.

As he drove off, Skylar let out a small breath, shaking her head. "That was… uncomfortable."

Chris kept his eyes on the road, his tone unreadable. "What did he say to you?"

She hesitated, as if debating whether or not to tell him. But eventually, she sighed.

"He said, 'Enjoy this while it lasts.'"

Chris's hands flexed against the steering wheel.

It wasn't a threat. Not outright. But it was a warning.

And Chris Blackwood don't take warnings lightly.

..