Isabella took another sip while keeping her eyes on the throng, causing the glass in her fingers to quiver a little. She kept having the uneasy feeling that something about Lucas Hart wasn't quite right. His remarks were too cautious, his smile too sweet. She had briefly dropped her guard, but she immediately raised it again and wrapped herself in the cold armor she had worn for years.
She declined the bartender's offer of another glass of champagne. Rather, she fixed her gaze on Dominic West on the other side of the room. His eyes continued to stray toward her even though he was still addressing the group. The weight of his gaze and the underlying contempt were almost palpable to Isabella. She knew that whatever he was plotting was going to happen because she could almost hear the poison in his mind.
Men like Dominic never forgot the one time she had made fun of him in front of the whole business world. He was the kind of person who kept grudges; he was vengeful and petty. Isabella, however, felt that he deserved it. It was all business, nothing personal. Emotions were a luxury she couldn't afford in her world.
She couldn't deny that Dominic would be well-prepared for his next move, though. He was too intelligent to act hastily, and his dignity had been hurt. He would wait for the right opportunity to present itself. And what was he going to do next?
Isabella looked around the room in an attempt to get her bearings. The world of high society, where money was measured by power, was her territory. She was untouchable here. But tonight, she experienced the slightest tremor in her universe, an uneasy feeling that would not go away. She hadn't paused to think about what might be going on outside her meticulously built walls because she had been too preoccupied with maintaining control.
She sensed, as if on cue, the abrupt change in the mood, a little alteration in the room's energy. Dominic was alone as the group of businesspeople he had been talking to broke up. And then she spotted it: Lucas Hart, approaching her directly with a determined, self-assured stride.
The impulse to roll her eyes was resisted. Hovering was enough for him. Although she had expressed her disinterest, Lucas didn't seem to be the kind to accept rejection. She also understood that he wasn't here to engage in casual talk. This was no accident. His strategy was well thought out, and Isabella wasn't going to be taken by surprise once more.
"Isabella," When Lucas got to her side, his eyes were fixed on her, and his voice was sweet. "I hoped we could have a longer conversation."
She turned slightly away from Lucas and remarked, "I don't have time for idle chatter." She had no intention of engaging in a useless back-and-forth. "I've stated my position clearly."
He remained unfazed. "You don't get me. I believe we could be really helpful to each other.
She gave him a doubtful look as she raised an eyebrow. Utilize each other? How?
He never flinched. Isabella, you're intelligent. You are still at risk even though you have created an empire out of nothing. Someone is constantly vying for your position at the top.
She didn't say anything, but her eyes hardened. She had already received a warning. Everyone wanted to destroy the people at the top; thus, it was a part of the game. Who and how was the question?
With a chilly tone, she answered, "I'm not in the business of trusting people." "After what I've experienced, no. Not people like you, in particular.
Lucas's smile became more thoughtful as his eyes grew softer. Even so, you're here with your classmates, participating in their game. Isabella, you don't trust anyone. Not even you.
She was a little irritated. In a sense, he was correct. She had used only her intelligence and determination to create her empire, but trust had never been a luxury she could afford. She had been misled by men before—her father, the person she had once trusted the most, had murdered her mother, destroying any hope of devotion or love.
"I have faith in myself," she stated icily. "That is all I require."
Lucas took a step forward, his intensity suddenly growing. It's the issue, isn't it? You have no faith in anyone. But the key to this game's success is trust. Isabella, you're playing the same game as me, but you're doing it by yourself. Additionally, you will lose there.
Isabella squinted her eyes. With a mild challenge, she said, "You think you can teach me how to play this game?"
Lucas's expression wavered for the first time, but only momentarily. "I believe we can support one another," he muttered. You're astute enough to realize that you occasionally require a little backup. It's not necessary for you to accomplish it alone.
Isabella hesitated for a while as his words hung in the air. Something about Lucas caused her to hesitate, even if her impulse was to go and end the talk. Perhaps it was the way he addressed her, treating her like an equal rather than a woman to be gained. Or perhaps it was his seeming ability to look right through her and comprehend the complexity hiding beneath the frosty exterior.
However, a voice cut them off before she could reply.
Isabella.
She spotted Dominic West coming and turned abruptly, her heart thumping in her chest. His towering figure cast a long shadow over the room, seemingly filling it with his presence. A mixture of contempt and something more, something deeper, filled his gaze as he examined her.
With hatred in his voice, he remarked, "I see you've found a new friend."
Isabella could see the tension rising between them, but Lucas didn't flinch. The memory of Dominic brought back memories of the game he was playing, the humiliation she had caused him, and the past. Dominic was obviously not here to put things right. He came here to remind her that he was a strong, arrogant man with a lot of bitterness.
With a suave, courteous, but hollow smile, Lucas remarked, "I was just leaving," and turned to go.
Isabella had no time to adjust to the abrupt change in circumstances. Now that she was in front of Dominic, he would not be amenable to her.
"What's wrong, Isabella?" Dominic narrowed his brows and asked. "You appear anxious."
Despite her sudden uneasiness, she responded calmly and resolutely, "I'm not nervous." "Dominic, I just don't have time for games. You don't either.
"Is that correct?" Isabella could not help but feel the weight of his presence as he moved closer. "You believe you can make fun of me in front of everyone and get away with it? You're not correct.
Isabella's thoughts were racing as the air seemed to get thicker. When she publicly humiliated Dominic, she had created a formidable foe, but she had no idea how far he would go to get even.
A deeper grin twisted Dominic's mouth. Isabella, you believe that you are untouchable? You're not. And you'll discover that in due time.
Isabella stood motionless for a while as he turned and left, the words lingering in her mind. Although she was accustomed to being in charge, she wasn't entirely sure for the first time in a long time.