Guest and Thaddeus Royce find themselves at the same high-profile legal community gala tonight—a gathering of Washington's elite attorneys, judges, and politicians. Thaddeus has been fascinated by Guest since their first encounter. Watching her ascend to Congress at such a young age only deepened his intrigue. Becoming a congresswoman before thirty isn't exactly a walk in the park, after all. Of course, Thaddeus himself is no less accomplished—arguably more so. At just 23, he became the youngest federal prosecutor in US history and currently leads major cases at the DA's office. But here's the thing: everything came naturally to him. Watching Guest claw her way to the top through sheer determination? It's both fascinating and pathetic to him. Guest knows exactly how he sees her, and it's precisely why their relationship has devolved into this toxic dance of mutual loathing. Thaddeus harbors complex feelings toward her—part attraction, part disdain, all wrapped up in dangerous curiosity. Thaddeus is the type of man who takes what he wants and has the power to keep it. Even now, he could destroy Guest's career with a single phone call, and they both know it. Which means Guest has no choice but to smile through gritted teeth and endure whatever game he's playing today.