28

28
Liam
I leaned back in my chair, a smirk playing on my lips as Allen delivered the latest update. “So Lucas asked her out on a date?”
“Yes, sir,” Allen replied, his voice carefully neutral. “It seems he’s trying to win her over before you can.”
I scoffed, shaking my head at my younger brother’s predictability. Lucas always did have a knack for acting first and thinking later. This was no different, another desperate attempt to one-up me.
“Let him,” I said, picking up my phone and scrolling through the headlines. There it was. Arlene’s latest public spectacle. She had stirred up quite the fuss, her name once again gracing the society pages.
The buzz was that she had agreed to go on a date with her ex-betrothed, her sister’s present betrothed.
Of course, she had. Not because of Lucas, but because of Mirela. It was obvious she wanted to spite someone.
I leaned back, my mind replaying flashes of the Arlene I once knew. She had been so different back then—kind-hearted, painfully naive, the type to give without ever expecting anything in return.
But now? Now, she was sharp, unpredictable, and endlessly entertaining. The transformation both baffled and intrigued me.
My gaze shifted to the jacket she’d ruined earlier that morning. Her clumsiness hadn’t changed, that much was clear. My lips twitched as I ran my fingers over the fabric, the faint stain from the coffee still visible.
Allen’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Are you planning to have that washed, sir? Or should I dispose of it?”
I shook my head. “Neither.”
Allen raised an eyebrow but said nothing as I stood, folding the jacket carefully. “You’ll mail it back to her office,” I instructed, “along with the money she so proudly shoved into my hand this morning.”
His other eyebrow joined the first. “And… should I include a note?”
“Absolutely. Tell her she owes me a replacement and that I expect her to buy one herself.”
Allen blinked. “You’re serious?”
“Completely. I want to see how good her taste is when it comes to suits. Let’s find out if her ‘penny’ is worth the trouble.”
For a moment, Allen simply stared at me before nodding. “Understood. I’ll make sure it’s sent first thing tomorrow.”
“Good.”
A brief smile tugged at my lips as I turned my attention back to the files on my desk. My thoughts drifted to Arlene’s return.
She had certainly made an entrance at her sister’s wedding, stealing the spotlight with that bold declaration and rejecting every partnership her stepmother had so carefully orchestrated.
Allen cleared his throat, drawing me back to the present. “Sir, I’ve also heard that she removed her stepmother from her position as vice president and chairman, and reduced her stepsister to an intern.”
I chuckled softly. “That woman never knows when to stop.”
“Do you think Arlene has a plan?” Allen asked cautiously.
“She’s always up to something,” I replied, leaning forward. “Dig deeper into that accident she had five years ago. I want every detail. And assign someone to keep an eye on her. I don’t want to miss anything.”
Allen nodded, his expression serious. “I’ll take care of it. But for now, it’s time to get ready for the welcome party of Miss Gomez.”
Hours later, I found myself stepping into the extravagant Gomez estate. The living room was a display of opulence - crystal chandeliers that hung low, while sleek, modern furniture in muted tones of gray and cream gave the space a sophisticated edge.
Lavish floral arrangements adorned every available surface, their fragrance mingling with the faint scent of expensive cologne and perfume.
I hated the mixture of thick perfume and wanted badly to turn back and go home.
The room buzzed with chatter, laughter, and the soft clinking of glasses. Waitstaff in crisp black uniforms weaved through the crowd, balancing trays of hors d’oeuvres and champagne flutes.
I picked up a glass of wine from a passing tray, letting the liquid swirl as I took in the scene. I wasn’t a fan of these events—too loud, too crowded, and rarely productive. But tonight was an exception.
“Surprised to see you here, Liam.”
The voice came from behind me, smooth and dripping with sarcasm. I turned, my gaze meeting Lucas’ smug expression.
“I thought you never attended parties like this,” he said, his voice oozing sarcasm. “Especially ones that wouldn’t add to your company’s expansion.”
I allowed a faint smirk to tug at my lips, raising a brow at him. “Well, you’re right for the first time in your life, Lucas. If this wasn’t going to be profitable, there’s no way in hell I’d be here.”
Lucas faltered, clearly unsettled, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing it through. I raised my champagne flute in a mock toast and downed the entire glass in one smooth motion.
As I turned to leave, the crowd parted slightly, and my eyes landed on her—Arlene.
She stood near the center of the room, an unintentional focal point amidst the sea of people. She wore a sleek, emerald-green evening gown that hugged her figure perfectly, the fabric shimmering under the golden light of the chandeliers.
The dress was daring, with a plunging neckline and a high slit that revealed just enough of her toned leg to keep every man in the room guessing.
Her dark hair was styled in soft waves, cascading over one shoulder, and her lips were painted a bold red that matched the confidence in her eyes.
For a moment, I couldn’t look away.
Lucas, of course, didn’t notice. He was too busy stewing in his bitterness. “I’ve already beaten you to the game,” he blurted out, his voice loud enough to draw a few curious glances.
I turned back to him, one eyebrow raised. “What game, brother? Care to explain?”
Lucas’ annoyance was almost comical, his eagerness to one-up me painfully obvious. “I asked her out on a date, and she accepted,” he said, puffing out his chest as if he’d just declared victory.
A smug smile tugged at my lips. “I know,” I said simply, my tone calm and unbothered.
“You know?” Lucas repeated, his voice laced with disbelief.
“Come on, Lucas,” I replied, suppressing a chuckle. “It’s all over the news. Everyone knows.”
“And?” he snapped, his frustration bubbling to the surface.
“And?” I echoed, letting out a low chuckle. I glanced at him briefly before turning my attention back to Arlene. Her eyes met mine for the briefest moment before she snorted and cast her gaze away. The corner of my mouth lifted higher. “Good luck with it.”
“What?” Lucas sputtered, his face reddening. “You’re only pained that—”
Before he could finish, his phone chimed. It wasn’t just Lucas’ phone. The sound of alerts buzzed around the room as people scrambled for their devices.
I reached into my pocket, pulling out my phone. But before I could even unlock it, the gasps began.
I glanced at the screen, and for a moment, the world seemed to tilt. My heart stopped.
There’s no way this was true.
The headline blared back at me, bold and damning. The details were still coming in, but the damage was already done.
Lifting my head, I searched for her in the crowd. When I found her, she wasn’t the confident, sharp-tongued woman I’d grown accustomed to. She looked vulnerable, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty.
And for the first time since she’d returned, I didn’t feel the need to strategize or play games. I didn’t feel competitive or calculating.
I just knew what I needed to do.
Before anyone else could react, or even before I could second-guess myself, I stepped forward, my eyes locked on hers. The words left my mouth effortlessly, natural and instinctive.
“Babe,” I said, my voice steady and confident. “I’m sorry I came late.”
Every head in the room turned to look at us.