As Ardent Pitt moved closer, his eyes swept over the garden, scanning every corner for a particular figure—Julius. Yet, despite his growing irritation, there was no sign of him. His frustration boiled beneath his calm facades as he turned his gaze directly to Maverick.
"Where is your partner?" Ardent demanded, barely concealing the edge in his voice.
Maverick raised an eyebrow, his expression sharpening with subtle defiance. "Do I know you?" he responded coolly.
He had seen this man before, last night at the theater, seated across from their private box, furiously gesturing toward Julius. Julius had dismissed him as a nobody who had lost a hefty sum in a card game, brushing off.
Ardent's face darkened at Maverick's nonchalant tone. Just as the atmosphere threatened to tip into confrontation, Lady Millie intervened with practiced grace.
