**Chapter 9: The Past Catches Up**

The air in The Guild seemed to thicken as Alex's gaze locked onto Sean, her eyes blazing with a fire that made Maya's skin crawl. Sean's expression remained neutral, but Maya could sense the tension coiling in his muscles like a spring ready to snap. The crowd that had gathered around their booth began to disperse, sensing the unease that had settled over the group. Maya's instincts screamed at her to intervene, to defuse the situation before it escalated further. She reached out, placing a calming hand on Sean's arm, but he didn't flinch. His eyes never left Alex's face, his jaw clenched in a silent challenge. Alex sauntered down the bar, her heels clicking on the wooden floor, her confidence and poise a stark contrast to the unease that radiated from Sean. She slid onto a stool at the end of the bar, her eyes never leaving Sean's face. "Alex, what are you doing here?" Sean asked, his voice low and even, but with a hint of wariness. Alex smiled, a cold, calculating smile that made Maya's blood run cold. "I heard you were doing well, Sean. I had to see it for myself." Maya's grip on Sean's arm tightened, her mind racing with questions. What did Alex want? Why was she here, after all this time? The questions swirled in her head, but before she could ask any of them, Jake spoke up. "Alex, I think it's time for you to leave," Jake said, his voice firm but polite. Alex's gaze flicked to Jake, her expression unchanging. "Oh, I don't think so, Jake. I'm just getting started." Sean's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in frustration. "Alex, please. Don't make a scene." But Alex just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound that sent shivers down Maya's spine. "A scene? Sean, I'm just getting started. You have no idea what I'm capable of." The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Alex's words hung in the air, a challenge, a threat, a promise of things to come. Maya's heart pounded in her chest, her senses on high alert as she waited to see what would happen next. Sean's eyes locked onto Alex's, a silent battle raging between them. Maya could see the fury building in Sean's eyes, but he kept his cool, his expression neutral. For now. But Maya knew it wouldn't last. The past was catching up with Sean, and it was only a matter of time before everything came crashing down.