"You brought a date," Liam said, his voice even, but his eyes anything but calm.
Isabella sipped her champagne without looking at him. "And you brought your fiancée. I suppose we're even."
His jaw tightened. "Ethan Carter isn't just a date. You know that."
"Do I?" she finally met his gaze, her lips curving into a smile. "Funny. I don't recall needing your permission to move on."
"Is that what this is?" His voice dropped lower. "A performance?"
Isabella leaned in, her voice like velvet. "Only if you're still the audience."
Liam stepped closer, the tension between them thick enough to cut. "Be careful, Isabella. He's not who you think he is."
She tilted her head. "Neither were you."
Before he could respond, Ethan returned with two glasses. "Everything alright here?"
"Perfect," Isabella said, slipping her hand into Ethan's without hesitation. "Liam was just welcoming us."
Ethan extended a hand with a charming smile. "Mr. Whitmore. I've heard a lot about you."
Liam stared at the hand for a moment before shaking it. "Likewise. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other."
Ethan chuckled. "Oh, I'm counting on it."
As the couple turned to leave, Liam stood alone in the crowd.
He had power. He had wealth. But for the first time in years… he realized he was losing control.
And Isabella?
She was just getting started.