With its polished banisters shining in the gentle light of the chandelier above, the Hamilton estate's great staircase was as impressive as ever. The only sound in the otherwise quiet mansion was the rustle of Isabella's silk dress as she gently descended. She was uneasy because of what had happened that night, but she didn't want to show it. Control—control over others, control over herself, and control over every circumstance she encountered—was the foundation of her empire. She would not overlook the fact that tonight had put that control in jeopardy.
After leaving The Dorchester, she had been in her study for hours, trying to figure out what was going on. She was more shaken by Dominic's remarks than she wanted to acknowledge. "You're not invincible." As she paced the floor, planning her next move, they had reverberated in her head. She would not misjudge him again, as she had done once before. She had to worry about more than simply Dominic, though. She also couldn't get Lucas Hart's mysterious comments out of her head. "The game is the same for both of us."
She stopped when she got to the bottom of the stairs. In the elaborate mirror, her image gazed back at her. She had polished the coldness in her eyes and the severe angles of her face. However, there was more going on underneath—a nagging doubt that she couldn't quite get rid of.
Isabella's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a knock on the door, and her back straightened. Although her security staff had been told to keep all guests away, she suspected that this knock wasn't from a stranger.
She spoke in a calm, authoritative voice, "Enter."
Claire, her assistant, appeared through the open door wearing a sharp black suit. For many years, Claire had been her reliable business partner. Without waiting for permission, she entered and looked straight for Isabella.
Claire's voice was hesitant as she stated, "Isabella, someone is here to see you."
Isabella's eyebrows went up. "Who?"
Claire answered, the name looming like a threat, "It's Dominic West."
Isabella didn't show it, but her heart skipped a beat. House calls were not something Dominic did, at least not without a very precise purpose. Isabella's voice was sharp as she replied, "I told you to keep him out."
Claire paused. He is adamant about talking to you. He claims that it is urgent.
Isabella had a racing mind. Dominic wasn't present to apologize. She was aware of that. No, he was here to get what he wanted, and he would stop at nothing to achieve it.
Isabella finally responded, "Send him in," in a stern and icy tone.
Shortly after, Dominic walked confidently into the room, his presence resonating throughout the room. His face was a mask of restrained rage, and he wore a dark suit with a nicely knotted tie. There was something else, though, something calculated in spite of the rage in his gaze. He was here for a purpose other than a confrontation. Isabella was also aware that she should not let her defenses down.
Isabella answered, "I didn't expect you to come here," in a steady voice despite her mind racing. "I assumed you would rather keep our exchanges public so you can receive the most attention."
A smile formed on Dominic's lips, but it lacked any warmth. "I don't always use public encounters for my goals. I had to talk to you in private.
Isabella squinted her eyes. "Then, speak. I am paying attention.
Dominic moved forward while maintaining eye contact with her. Isabella, I'm not here to waste time. I will not allow you to embarrass me once more. However, I am also aware of how this game operates. We both know how to obtain power, and we both desire it.
Isabella remained unflinching. This was what she had anticipated. She had anticipated that he would come stumbling in an attempt to regain some kind of authority. She was surprised by the subtle change in his attitude—he was no longer angry. Now he had a tranquil assurance, a calmness.
"What are you trying to say, Dominic?" Her voice clipped as she asked. She had no intention of playing his game.
His eyes narrowed as he answered, "My point is simple." What's mine is what I want. And I want you to assist me in obtaining it.
Isabella showed no visible symptoms, but her pulse quickened. Assist you? Why should I assist you?
He took a step forward, staring intently. "Because Isabella, you're intelligent. You are aware that our combined strength is greater than our individual strength. Many adversaries in the corporate sector wish for us to fail together. But we can get rid of them if we cooperate. We are capable of taking charge of everything.
As she considered her options, her thoughts raced. She was just as powerful as Dominic; it was true. She was never one to depend on anyone, much less a man such as he was. However, she was intrigued by something in his proposal. Their shared desire for complete control over the economic world was undeniable. And they could accomplish that if they pooled their resources.
Isabella finally stated in a forceful voice, "I'm not interested in partnerships." "Dominic, I don't trust you. And I won't.
There was a little pause in Dominic's smile. "You made a mistake. Winning doesn't require trust. It is power.
Isabella fixed her gaze on his and refused to back down. "You don't have to take charge for me. I've got it already.
He laughed, but his laughter was devoid of humor. "We'll check on that. Isabella, you're not as untouchable as you believe. Everybody has a weakness. Everybody has a cost.
His remarks caused Isabella's heart to skip a beat, but she quickly collected herself. She was determined to avoid showing any weakness to Dominic. "You've made one attempt to break me already. It was unsuccessful. Now it won't work.
For a minute, the tension between them was evident as Dominic's eyes darkened. "You think you're invincible," he remarked in a low, menacing voice. "But I'll help you see your error."
After saying that, he turned and started to head for the door but paused to glance over his shoulder.
His voice was barely audible as he whispered, "Isabella, you'll regret turning me down." "You can't do this by yourself."
With a gentle click, the door closed behind him, and Isabella was left alone in the quiet that ensued. Despite her shallow breathing, she resisted allowing the feelings that were brewing inside of her to take over. Although Dominic posed a threat, she had experienced much worse in her life. She had no intention of letting him or anybody else weaken her resolve.
The slightest uncertainty, however, began to creep into her thoughts as she stood there, gazing at the empty spot where Dominic had once been. Would she be able to handle this on her own? Would she be able to maintain her kingdom without forming alliances? And who could she rely on if she did require assistance?
She walked back to her desk after making a sudden turn. Time for some phone calls. It was time to seize the initiative before it slipped from her grasp.
She continued thinking about Lucas Hart as she picked up the phone. For someone who said he didn't play games, he had been way too persistent. Earlier, she had written him off as a distraction, but now that Dominic was threatening her, she couldn't help but wonder whether Lucas Hart was involved in this game. Or was he merely a pawn?
Isabella realized she needed to act fast since the pieces were gradually coming together. She wasn't going to lose, and the game was on.